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Improving the quality of colonoscopy bowel preparation using a smart phone application: A randomized trial
Author(s) -
LorenzoZúñiga Vicente,
Moreno de Vega Vicente,
Marín Ingrid,
Barberá Marta,
Boix Jaume
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
digestive endoscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.5
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1443-1661
pISSN - 0915-5635
DOI - 10.1111/den.12467
Subject(s) - medicine , colonoscopy , randomized controlled trial , regimen , bowel preparation , patient satisfaction , tolerability , ascorbic acid , single center , cryotherapy , surgery , gastroenterology , colorectal cancer , adverse effect , chemistry , food science , cancer
Background and Aim Getting ready for a colonoscopy is difficult and involves many steps. Information given to patients is very important for adherence to treatment. We created a novel smart phone application ( SPA ) aimed to increase bowel preparation quality and patient satisfaction. Methods We carried out a prospective, endoscopist‐blinded, randomized, controlled trial. We enrolled 260 outpatient (58% female, age range 21–75 years) owners of a smartphone. Patients were allocated to two different protocols: instructions provided by SPA ( SPA group; n = 108) or written instructions with visual aids (control group; n = 152). All procedures were carried out in the afternoon and patients received the same purgative regimen (2 L polyethylene glycol ( PEG ) solution plus ascorbic acid), in a full‐dose same‐day regimen. The study was designed to detect an improvement in quality of bowel preparation using the H arefield C leansing S cale ( HCS ) scale. Effect of protocol on patient satisfaction was assessed with a specific questionnaire at the time of colonoscopy. Results Proportion of patients who obtained successful bowel preparation for colonoscopy ( HCS A or B ) was significantly higher in the SPA group than in the control group (100% vs 96.1%, respectively; P = 0.037). Mean global HCS scores were similar in both groups. Patient‐reported tolerability and overall experience with the prescribed bowel preparation were significantly higher for the SPA group than for the control group. Conclusion Successful cleansing and patient acceptability with the use of SPA were superior to written instructions in outpatients submitted for colonoscopy using 2 L PEG solution plus ascorbic acid.