Parameters Affecting Bowel Preparation

Introduction: Colonoscopy is the most effective tool for evaluating the colorectal mucosa and detecting polyps. The effectiveness of colonoscopy depends on the quality of bowel preparation. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the parameters affecting bowel preparation before colonoscopic examination.
Methods: The study was conducted by retrospectively analyzing the medical records and colonoscopy reports of patients who underwent colonoscopy. Colon cleansing levels of the patients were evaluated using Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS).
Results: In the present study, 199 patients who underwent colonoscopy were evaluated. Of the patients, 100 (50.3%) were females and 99 (49.7%) were males. In 39 (19.6%) of the patients, the preparation was insufficient (BBPS <6), while in 160 (80.4%) patients, it was adequate (BBPS ≥6). While the preparation was insufficient in 7 (58.3%) of 12 hospitalized patients for whom we performed colonoscopy, 32 (17.1%) of 187 outpatients were inadequate. Colon preparation was statistically significantly worse in inpatients than in outpatients (p=0.003).
Discussion and Conclusion: Before colonoscopy in hospitalized patients, the general condition of the patients should be evaluated and an idea should be obtained about whether they can tolerate the cleaning solutions. If it is thought that patients will not be able to tolerate the solutions, the use of antiemetic drugs before solutions and the administration of the solutions with different beverages such as fruit juices over a longer period of time may increase toleration.

Keywords: Affecting parameters; Bowel preparation; Colonoscopy; Inpatients