Abstract :
Aim:
To compare the safety and effectiveness of two colonic lavage solution in elderly patients.
Methods:
Thirty-eight consecutive patients received either standard 2 L of polyethylene glycol 4000-base solution (PEG) or 90 mL of sodium phosphate (NaP) in a split regimen of 45 mL of NaP at 12 hours apart, prior to colonoscopic evaluation. The primary endpoint was serum electrolyte, creatinine, calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels before and after complete preparation. Secondary endpoints included colonic cleanliness evaluated by an overall assessment and segmental evaluation assessed by a scoring system for cleanliness and visibility of bowel.
Results:
Thirty-two patients received PEG and six patients received NaP. Both groups showed no significant differences in preparation scores. There were minimal electrolyte changes with PEG, whereas hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia developed in 16.7% and 84.4% of patients in the NaP group.
Conclusion:
Both bowel cleaning agents were proved to be similar in effectiveness for elderly patients. NaP preparation caused more significant changes in the levels of potassium and calcium, which were hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. We recommend that NaP should only be given to medically fit subjects and PEG should be given to high risk groups, i.e cardiovascular or renal impairment.
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file/Thai-Journal-of-gastroenterology-vol-10-no-2-3028433.pdf