Appointment waiting times and education level influence the quality of bowel preparation in adult patients undergoing colonoscopy
2011

Factors Affecting Bowel Preparation Quality in Colonoscopy

Sample size: 501 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Chan Wah-Kheong, Saravanan Arjunan, Manikam Jeeta, Goh Khean-Lee, Mahadeva Sanjiv

Primary Institution: University of Malaya

Hypothesis

What are the risk factors associated with poor bowel preparation in adult patients undergoing colonoscopy?

Conclusion

Education levels and appointment waiting times, along with non-adherence to bowel preparation instructions, increase the risk of poor bowel preparation in adult patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Supporting Evidence

  • 30.1% of patients had poor bowel preparation.
  • Lower education level was identified as an independent risk factor for poor bowel preparation.
  • Prolonged appointment waiting time beyond 16 weeks increased the risk of poor bowel preparation.

Takeaway

If patients don't follow the instructions for getting ready for a colonoscopy, or if they have to wait a long time for their appointment, they might not be prepared well enough for the procedure, which can make it harder for doctors to see what they need to.

Methodology

A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary center with patients undergoing colonoscopy, collecting data on demographics, compliance, and bowel preparation quality.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in self-reported compliance to bowel preparation instructions.

Limitations

The study did not use a validated bowel grading scale and relied on patient self-reporting for compliance.

Participant Demographics

Mean age 60.1 years, 51.2% males, 60.9% with secondary education or higher.

Statistical Information

P-Value

< 0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI = 1.54 - 3.60

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-230X-11-86

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication