RESUMEN
Background: Ideal bowel preparation regimen for a suitable colonoscopy should be safe, and well tolerated, and should rapidly clear gastrointestinal tract. Soluble polyethylene glycol [PEG] is the most common cleansing drug and Senna or C-Lax [Cassia angustifolia Vahl] is an alternative herbal one. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of PEG and C-lax in bowel preparation
Methods: In this randomized double blind trial [registry number in IRCT.ir: IRCT201601161264N7], 320 patients were randomly assigned in PEG or C-lax groups. PEG solution was prepared from 5><70 gr sachets in 20><250cc water [250 ml every 15 minutes], prescribed 24h before the colonoscopy. In the other group 3x60 ml C-lax syrup glasses [each containing 90 mg senozid B] was given in two divided doses [1.5 glasses of 250cc every 12 hours], 24h before the colonoscopy. Ottawa score was used to evaluate the quality of bowel preparation. Chi-square test, Student t test, Mann-Whitney test and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the data
Results: Of these patients with the mean [SD] age of 50 [15.16] years, 162 [50.8%] were men. Mean [SD] Ottawa score was 2.57 [0.2] and 3.15 [0.31] in the PEG and C-lax group, respectively [p value = 0.81]. Multivariate analysis showed that less opium consumption [p < 0.001] and higher educational level [p =0.005] were associated with better bowel preparation
Conclusion: C-Lax is non-inferior to PEG solution in cleansing colon. The quality of bowel preparation was lower in opium consumers and better in those with higher educational level