Comparison of a sulfate-free polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution with a standard solution for colonoscopy preparation

Abstract

In order to ameliorate the unpleasant salty taste of a standard PEG-electrolyte lavage solution and thus improving acceptance of colonoscopy cleansing, a new sulfate-free, low sodium PEG-solution has been developed as long as 10 years ago. Comparative studies regarding acceptance showed conflicting results. This study was intended to compare the standard solution L (Cololyt) with the sulfate-free solution S (Colo-Sol) on a prospective basis in a collective of average gastroenterology outpatients. The 144 patients who underwent colonoscopy ingested 1 liter of solutions L and S each on the evening before and another liter of the preferred solution (preference) in the morning of the day of examination. Moreover the taste of both solutions was rated (grading scale 0-10). Tolerance and efficacy were registered as well. Preference and thus acceptance presented very well-balanced. Solution L was preferred as frequent (by 50.7% of patients) as solution S (49.3%) which was originally claimed to be better tasting. The respective preferred solutions were rated equal with mean +/- SD values of 6.6 +/- 2.2 for L and 7.0 +/- 1.9 for S. Efficacy and tolerance did not differ from a clinical point of view.