Bowel Cleansing Agents in Clinical Practice: A Cross-Sectional Study on Safety, Efficacy, and Predictor of Good Bowel Preparation

Background: A good bowel preparation for colonoscopy is the most important factor that has an impact on visualization and outcome of the procedure. Aim: The primary aim of the study was to assess the quality of bowel preparation as reported by the Boston Bowel Preparation Score (BBPS). The secondary aim of the study was to analyze the patient feedback on ease of administration, palatability, and side effects with the bowel preparation. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing colonoscopy between March 2018 and September 2018 were enrolled in the study. Patients <18 years of age, those with the previous history of colorectal surgery, emergency procedures in an unprepared colon, and those not willing to participate were excluded from the study. Colon preparation of the patient was decided by senior consultants. A predesigned pro forma that included demography, indication for the procedure, preparation details, dietary recommendations the previous day if any, side effects, and patient's comfort to preparation was completed by two-independent observers. The BBPS was used to assess the bowel preparation. A score of <5 was deemed inadequate. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study cohort consisted of 141 patients, of which 78 were male (55.3%). Eighty (56.7%) patients received oral sulfate-based preparation and 61 (43.4%) polyethylene glycol-based preparation. Nearly one third of cases reported the solution to be non palatable. 15.4% respondents reported nausea, vomiting and bloating as the major side effects of the preparation. The median duration of colonoscopy was 25 min (8-45 min). One hundred and eighteen patients (83.6%) had a BBPS score of >= 5. Sulfate preparation resulted in better bowel cleansing (P = 0.01). Age, gender, and dosing schedule of preparation, including bedtime dosing of stimulant laxative, did not alter the BBPS score. Conclusion: Sulfate- and polyethylene glycol-based preparations are commonly used for cleansing the colon. Bowel cleansing was adequate in most patients and sulfate-based yielded better bowel cleansing. Nearly 15.4% of patients reported side effects to these preparations.