Published online Jan 14, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i2.242
Revised: August 17, 2010
Accepted: August 24, 2010
Published online: January 14, 2011
AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of magnesium citrate and a single dose of oral sodium phosphate (45 mL) solution for morning colonoscopy bowel preparation.
METHODS: A total of 159 patients were randomly assigned to receive two split doses of 90 mg of sodium phosphate (Group I, n = 79) or magnesium citrate (250 mL, the day before the procedure) followed by 45 mL of sodium phosphate (the day of procedure, Group II, n = 80). The quality of bowel cleansing and the acceptability of each regimen were compared, including the satisfaction, taste, willing to repeat and adverse effects of each regimen.
RESULTS: The quality of bowel cleansing of Group II was as good as that of Group I (An Aronchick scale score of good or excellent: 70.9% vs 81.0%, respectively, P = 0.34; the Ottawa system score: 4.4 ± 2.6 vs 3.8 ± 3.0, respectively, P = 0.76). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups with regard to acceptability, including the satisfaction, taste and willingness to repeat the regimen. A significantly greater number of older patients (over 65 years old) in Group II graded the overall satisfaction as satisfactory (48.1% vs 78.1%, respectively; Group I vs Group II, P = 0.01). There were no significant adverse reactions.
CONCLUSION: Magnesium citrate and a single dose of sodium phosphate was as effective and tolerable as the conventional sodium phosphate regimen and is a satisfactory option.