IMPACT OF LOW FIBER DIET ON BOWEL PREPARATION FOR COLONOSCOPY

Aims The aim of our study was to study the effect of lower fiber diet on bowel preparation and to determine the required duration of the diet in Tunisian patients.

Methods We performed an analytic, observational, and prospective study. We included all outpatients scheduled for colonoscopy in our endoscopy unit between March and April 2021. Patients were educated to control diet from 5 days before colonoscopy with information regarding an unacceptable foods list. Boston scale was used for the assessment of bowel cleaning.

Results We enrolled 54 patients in our study. The mean age was 54 [18-72] and the sex Ratio (M/W) was 2.37.The most frequent indication for colonoscopy was recent transit disorders such as constipation and diarrhea in 35.18% of cases. All participants received 4 L of polyethylene glycol or sodium picosulphate in a split-dose regimen .Of the 54 patients included, 30 patients (55.5%) followed the diet instructions. Twenty five patients followed the low fiber diet for 5 days, 5 patients for 3 days and 24 for less than 3 days. The mean Boston score was 6/9. Inadequate bowel preparation was 42.6%. The difference in mean Boston score between the 2 groups: Low Fiber diet respected for at least 3 days or not was significant (p=0.009). Participants in both groups were similar in baseline characteristics.

Conclusions According to our study, in consideration of high impact but low compliance of diet restrictions, diet education should be emphasized more and we propose a diet of 3 days in Mediterranean regions.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2022