Comparative efficacy of different bowel preparations for colonoscopy: A network meta-analysis

Background and aims: The quality of a colonoscopy is heavily reliant on the effectiveness of bowel cleansing. Various cleansing solutions are currently available, but their comparative efficacy remains uncertain. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to compare the performance of different bowel preparations for colonoscopy. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of different bowel preparations. The primary outcome was cleansing success (CS), and the secondary outcome was adenoma detection rate (ADR). Results: On network meta-analysis for CS (22 RCTs, 7179 patients, 14 bowel preparations), 2 L PEG + simethicone (RR = 1.25 [95 %CI = 1.13-1.37]), 2 L PEG + lactulose (RR = 1.22 [95 %CI = 1.10-1.38]) and 1 L PEG + ascorbate (ASC) (RR = 1.03 [95 %CI = 1.01-1.06]) were significantly superior to 2 L PEG + ASC. Overall, 2 L PEG + lactulose resulted as the best product (SUCRA 0.94), followed by 2 L PEG + simethicone (SUCRA 0.93). On network meta-analysis for ADR (17 RCTs, 6639 patients, 11 bowel preparations), only 2 L PEG + simethicone (RR = 1.60 [95 %CI = 1.05-2.43]) resulted significantly superior to 2 L PEG + ASC. Conclusions: 2 L PEG + simethicone, 2 L PEG + lactulose, and 1 L PEG + ASC seemed to provide high rates of CS, albeit only 2 L PEG + simethicone was associated with significantly higher ADR. Consequently, these products should be preferred for bowel preparation of colonoscopy. Further randomized studies with adequate sample sizes are needed for a more accurate comparison of these products on ADR.