Content area
Full Text
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
Ideal bowel preparation regimen for a suitable colonoscopy should be safe, and well tolerated, and should rapidly clear gastrointestinal tract. Soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) is the most common cleansing drug and Senna or C-Lax (Cassia angustifolia Vahl) is an alternative herbal one. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of PEG and C-lax in bowel preparation.
METHODS
In this randomized double blind trial (registry number in IRCT.ir: IRCT201601161264N7), 320 patients were randomly assigned in PEG or C-lax groups. PEG solution was prepared from 5x70 gr sachets in 20x250cc water (250 ml every 15 minutes), prescribed 24h before the colonoscopy. In the other group 3x60 ml C-lax syrup glasses (each containing 90 mg senozid B) was given in two divided doses (1.5 glasses of 250cc every 12 hours), 24h before the colonoscopy. Ottawa score was used to evaluate the quality of bowel preparation. Chi-square test, Student t test, MannWhitney test and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
Of these patients with the mean (SD) age of 50 (15.16) years, 162 (50.8%) were men. Mean (SD) Ottawa score was 2.57 (0.2) and 3.15 (0.31) in the PEG and C-lax group, respectively (p value = 0.81). Multivariate analysis showed that less opium consumption (p < 0.001) and higher educational level (p =0.005) were associated with better bowel preparation.
CONCLUSION
C-Lax is non-inferior to PEG solution in cleansing colon. The quality of bowel preparation was lower in opium consumers and better in those with higher educational level.
KEYWORDS:
Bowel preparation, Polyethylene glycol, C-Lax, Double blind clinical trial, Ottawa score
INTRODUCTION
Colonoscopic examination necessitates a well prepared fecal-matter-free bowel for a diagnostic and therapeutic approach.1 A good colonoscopy may have three main characteristics: a skilled gastroenterologist, a cooperative patient, and a glossy clean bowel.2 Bowel preparation most commonly involves oral ingestion of a large volume of a cathartic agent with laxative properties over a defined period of time.1,3
Administering a good tasty tolerable oral agent to patients willing to undergo a colonoscopic examination may seem no big deal to clinicians but is a key factor for patients to decide whether to avoid or accept the procedure.4 Efficacy, tolerance, and safety are among the most important factors that a cleansing agent should have when...