Effectiveness of Low-Volume Colonic Preparation and Bisacodyl in Hospitalized Patients: Randomized, Single-Blind Clinical Trial

Aims To evaluate the quality of bowel preparation through the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) in patients with low-volume and bisacodyl and high-volume preparations. A score > or = 6 points was considered as adequate preparation. Additionally the adverse effects of the preparations were assessed.

Methods Randomized clinical trial, single blind, which was carried out during February 2022 until November 2022. Patients hospitalized with a medical indication for colonoscopy were randomized into two groups: Low-volume (Bisacodyl 10 mg + 2 liters of Polyethylene glycol in divided doses) and High-Volume (4 liters of Polyethylene glycol in divided doses). Finally, after the procedure, tolerance to medication was assessed using a questionnaire.

Results A total of 79 colonoscopies were performed. 39 patients were assigned to the High-volume preparation group and 39 patients to the low-volume preparation group. Regarding the quality of the colonic preparation, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (97.4% High-volume preparation Vs 87.2% low-volume preparation (p=0.20)). The perception of abdominal pain showed a significant difference in favor of low volume group (p=0.011) [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11].

Conclusions Low-volume preparation in hospitalized patients was equally effective in achieving a BBPS score of 6 or more points compared to 4-liter bowel preparation in divided dose. The low-volume preparation demonstrated fewer preparation associated adverse effects.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2023

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