Background: Studies found prokinetic agents improve preprocedural tolerability and efficacy in bowel cleansing before colonoscopy. We investigated the use of prucalopride for improving the efficacy and tolerability of bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy.

Method: This was a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial that included 162 participants who were randomized to receive either 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) + prucalopride (prucalopride group) or 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) + placebo (control group). The primary endpoint was the efficacy of colon cleansing assessed by blinded endoscopists using the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) and the Ottawa scale. The efficacy of colon cleansing was also verified by blinded investigators. Acceptability, tolerability, and adenoma detection rate (ADR) of these 2 regimens were secondary endpoints.

Results: A better score preparation was observed in the prucalopride group than in the PEG group for both the Boston bowel preparation scale, right side (2.81 vs 2.01, P < 0.001), transverse (2.91 vs 2.25, P < 0.001), left side (2.9 vs 2.37, P < 0.001) and total (8.63 vs 6.56, P < 0.001) and Ottawa scale, right side (0.19 vs 1.05, P < 0.001), transverse (0.09 vs 0.75, P < 0.001), left side (0.1 vs 0.7, P < 0.001) and total (0.37 vs 2.51, P < 0.002, table 1). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in ADR and patient satisfaction. Adverse reactions were not different between the groups.

Conclusions: Prucalopride may be an effective and safe adjunct to PEG that leads to an improved quality of bowel preparation.

<b>Table 1</b> Successful cleansing rates according to colonic segment

Table 1 Successful cleansing rates according to colonic segment

Pongpan Boonmeeseeprasert

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