Sulfate free polyethylene glycol versus standard polyethylene glycol for colonoscopy preparation: a prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded comparison

Background/Aims : Although polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution is safe and effective for bowel preparation for colonoscopy, its salty taste as well as the required large volume limits its use. Sulfate free PEG (SF-PEG) solution was developed to reduce the salty taste by removing the sodium sulfate. The aim of this study was to compare the SF-PEG solution with the standard PEG solution in regard to the quality of bowel preparation, the degree of patients’ satisfaction and the side effects in Korean patients. Methods : From July through September in 2006, 100 patients who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy were prospectively enrolled. They were randomly assigned to receive either PEG or SF-PEG solution. The quality of bowel preparation was assessed by one colonoscopist who was blinded with regard to the type of preparation used. Detailed questionnaires were used to assess the patients’ tolerance and satisfaction. The serum biochemical parameters were measured before and after bowel cleansing. Results : The numbers of patients whose quality of bowel preparation was excellent, good, fair and poor were 2, 43, 5 and 0 in PEG group, while this was 0, 41, 9 and 0 in SF-PEG group, respectively (p=0.118). The side effects were not different between the groups. The visual analog scale score of the patients’ satisfaction was 6.4±2.4 in the PEG group and 5.8±2.8 in the SF-PEG group (p=0.237). The changes of serum biochemical parameters were also not different. Conclusions : The SF-PEG solution shows similar effectiveness and safety for bowel preparation for colonoscopy when compared to the standard PEG solution. The SF-PEG solution is a good solution to use for colonoscopy preparation. (Korean J Med 74:30-36, 2008)