Single blind, randomised trial of efficacy and acceptability of oral Picolax versus self administered phosphate enema in bowel preparation for flexible sigmoidoscopy screening

Objective To compare the acceptability and efficacy of two methods of self administered bowel preparation for flexible sigmoidoscopy screening: a sing le phosphate enema and a single sachet of Picolax. Design Single blind, randomised trial. Setting Endoscopy units of two general hospitals. Participants 1442 men and women aged 55-64 years who had agreed to be scree ned by flexible sigmoidoscopy. Main outcome measures Attendance rates, compliance with allocated preparati ons, adverse effects, quality of bowel preparation, procedure time, and yie ld of neoplasia. Results Compliance with the enema was higher than with the Picolax (608 (84 %) v 566 (79%); difference 6%, 95% cofidence interval 2% to 10%). Almost ha lf of those who refused Picolax; used an enema at home. Wind, incontinence, and sleep disturbance were more frequent in the Picolax group than the ene ma group; bottom soreness was more frequent in the enema group. Around 30% (187) found the diet restriction required by Picolax difficult; 78% (471) f ound the enema easy to administer. The quality of preparation was better wi th the enema; the proportion of procedures complete to the descending colon was greater and the mean duration of the procedure was shorter. There was no significant difference in polyp detection rates. Conclusion A single phosphate enema self administered around one hour befor e leaving home is a more acceptable and effective method of preparing the d istal bowel for flexible sigmoidoscopy than Picolax.