Updates Issued for Optimizing Bowel Preparation Quality for Colonoscopy
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, March 6, 2025 -- In updated consensus recommendations published online March 4 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, additional guidance is presented for optimizing bowel preparation quality for colonoscopy.
Brian C. Jacobson, M.D., M.P.H., from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues developed consensus statements and key clinical concepts addressing aspects of bowel preparation for colonoscopy to update the 2014 recommendations for optimizing the adequacy of bowel cleansing.
The authors noted that most of the consensus statements focus on individuals at average risk for inadequate bowel preparation; statements are also provided addressing individuals at risk for inadequate bowel preparation quality. Use of a split-dose bowel preparation regimen is recommended; and a 2-liter regimen is suggested as sufficient. For individuals undergoing afternoon colonoscopy, a same-day regimen is recommended as an acceptable alternative; however, for individuals undergoing morning colonoscopy, a same-day regimen is inferior. Dietary restrictions should be limited to the day before a colonoscopy; for early and midday meals, clear liquids or low-fiber/low-residue diets should be relied on. Adjunctive use of oral simethicone is suggested for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. There is also a recommendation for routine tracking of the rate of adequate bowel preparations at the level of individual endoscopists and the endoscopy unit, with a target >90 percent for both rates.
"Bowel preparation is a vital part of colonoscopy. If the colon is not adequately cleaned, the person performing the colonoscopy may miss important findings such as small polyps," Jacobson said in a statement. "Many cases end up cancelled when the bowel preparation is inadequate, and that creates tremendous frustration for patients and inefficient use of resources."
Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted March 2025
Read this next
Parent-Reported Firearm Storage Poor Estimator of Teen Perceived Access
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- Parent-reported firearm storage seems to be a poor estimator of teen perceived firearm access, according to a study published online June 10 in JAMA...
CT Colonography Cost-Effective, Clinically Effective for CRC Screening
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- Computed tomography colonography (CTC) is cost-effective and clinically effective for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, according to a study published...
Global Incidence Rate of Rheumatoid Arthritis Increased From 1990 to 2021
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- The incidence rate of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased globally from 1990 to 2021, with the heaviest burden born by regions with a high...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.