Randomized controlled trial of sodium phosphate tablets vs polyethylene glycol solution for colonoscopy bowel cleansing

Table 1 Demographic data and indication for colonoscopy n (%)

	NaP tables (n = 158)	PEG solution (n = 162)	P value
Mean age (yr)	46.5 ± 9.8	48.6 ± 10.3	0.064
Male	70 (44.3)	69 (42.6)	0.758
BMI	23.2 ± 3.1	23.0 ± 3.0	0.628
Experience of colonoscopy	67 (42.4)	74 (45.7)	0.555
Surgical history	23 (14.6)	35 (21.6)	0.102
Indication for colonoscopy
Screening	89 (56.3)	81 (50.0)	0.257
Bowel habit change	9 (5.7)	17 (10.5)	0.116
Stool caliber change	8 (5.1)	6 (3.7)	0.552
Melena/hematochezia	13 (8.2)	16 (9.9)	0.608
Abdominal pain	22 (13.9)	10 (6.2)	0.021
Anemia	2 (1.3)	2 (1.2)	1.000
Weight loss	1 (0.6)	3 (1.9)	0.623
P/Hx of CRN	13 (8.2)	17 (10.5)	0.487
F/Hx of CRC	0	7 (4.3)	0.015
For polypectomy	1 (0.6)	3 (1.9)	0.623

Values are means ± SD. BMI: Body mass index; P/Hx: Past history; CRN: Colorectal neoplasm; F/Hx: Family history; CRC: Colorectal cancer; PEG: Polyethylene glycol; NaP: Sodium phosphate.

Table 2 Bowel preparation quality and procedure-related factors n (%)

	NaP tables (n = 158)	PEG solution (n = 162)	P value
Bowel cleansing
Adequate	147 (93.0)	150 (92.6)	0.877
Inadequate	11 (7.0)	12 (7.4)
Boston scale score
Right colon	2.6 ± 0.6	2.5 ± 0.7	0.262
Transverse colon	2.8 ± 0.5	2.7 ± 0.5	0.022
Left colon	2.8 ± 0.5	2.8 ± 0.5	0.990
Global colon	8.2 ± 1.3	8.0 ± 1.2	0.221
Cecal insertion time (min)	4.5 ± 2.7	4.2 ± 2.6	0.224
Withdrawal time (min)	10.5 ± 4.6	9.5 ± 3.6	0.028
Total colonoscopy time (min)	15.2 ± 6.4	13.7 ± 5.4	0.023

Values are means ± SD. PEG: Polyethylene glycol.

Table 3 Detection rate of colorectal polyps and adenomas n (%)

	NaP tablets (n = 158)	PEG solution (n = 162)	P value
Polyps regardless of size
Participants	91 (57.6)	81 (50.0)	0.173
Polyps/patient	1.3 ± 1.7	1.2 ± 1.8	0.752
Polyps diameter ≤ 5 mm
Participants	76 (48.1)	63 (38.9)	0.096
Polyps/patient	0.9 ± 1.3	0.8 ± 1.5	0.770
Polyps diameter > 5 mm
Participants	43 (27.2)	44 (27.2)	0.991
Polyps/patient	0.5 ± 1.0	0.4 ± 0..8	0.508
Adenomas regardless of size
Participants	55 (34.8)	57 (35.2)	0.944
Polyps/patient	0.7 ± 1.3	0.6 ± 1.1	0.679
Adenomas diameter ≤ 5 mm
Participants	40 (25.3)	39 (24.1)	0.797
Polyps/patient	0.4 ± 0.9	0.4 ± 0.8	0.813
Adenomas diameter > 5 mm
Participants	29 (18.4)	33 (20.4)	0.648
Polyps/patient	0.3 ± 0.7	0.3 ± 0.6	0.744

Values are means ± SD. PEG: Polyethylene glycol.

Table 4 Patient compliance, acceptability and satisfaction

	NaP tablets	PEG solution	P value
	(n = 158)	(n = 162)
Compliance (amount of intake of cleansing agent)			0.228
Optimal (100%)	151 (95.6)	148 (91.4)
Good (75%-100%)	6 (3.8)	14 (8.6)
Poor (< 75%)	1 (0.6)	0
Acceptability (difficulty of the preparation)			< 0.001
None	86 (54.4)	50 (30.9)
Some	59 (37.3)	85 (52.5)
Much	13 (8.2)	27 (16.7)
Taste of the preparation			< 0.001
Very bad	4 (2.5)	14 (8.6)
Bad	26 (16.5)	54 (33.3)
Neutral	82 (51.9)	75 (46.3)
Good	38 (24.1)	14 (8.6)
Very good	8 (5.1)	5 (3.1)
Satisfaction level (VAS)	7.8 ± 2.0	6.5 ± 2.4	< 0.001

VAS: Visual analog scale; PEG: Polyethylene glycol; NaP: Sodium phosphate.

Table 5 Incidence of adverse events n (%)

Adverse events	NaP tablets (n = 158)	PEG solution (n = 162)	P value
Nausea	53 (33.5)	53 (32.7)	0.875
Vomiting	17 (10.8)	17 (10.5)	0.939
Abdominal pain	11 (7.0)	14 (8.6)	0.576
Abdominal distension/bloating	44 (27.8)	61 (37.7)	0.062
Anal irritation symptom	6 (3.8)	8 (4.9)	0.618
Sleep disturbance	3 (1.9)	7 (4.3)	0.336
Total	100 (63.3)	112 (69.1)	0.269

PEG: Polyethylene glycol; NaP: Sodium phosphate.