Constipation, Diabetes, and Split-Dose Regimen Are Associated With Suboptimal Bowel Preparation in Young Patients

Abstract

Background An increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in young patients has been observed. However, there is little research investigating the factors associated with suboptimal bowel preparation focusing on young patients compared to patients > 50 years. Aims We aimed to evaluate the factors associated with a suboptimal bowel preparation in young patients (age ≤ 50 years) using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Methods This retrospective study analyzed 1,980 patients who underwent complete colonoscopy from June 2017 to September 2020. Data regarding demographic and clinical characteristics and bowel preparation adequacy were collected. Furthermore, factors associated with suboptimal bowel preparation were analyzed. Results Among our participants, 17.8% demonstrated suboptimal bowel preparation. After adjusting for several factors, multivariate analysis showed that diabetes (OR:0.28; 95% CI, 0.14–0.56, P = .000), constipation (OR:0.20; 95% CI, 0.13–0.29, P = .000), and split-dose bowel preparation (OR:1.69; 95% CI, 1.28–2.23, P = .000) were independent predictors of suboptimal bowel preparation. Additionally, constipation was significantly associated with poor bowel preparation in all colonic segments; on the other hand, diabetes and split-dose bowel preparation were significant on right side of the colon. Conclusions Constipation, diabetes and split-dose bowel preparation were significantly associated with suboptimal bowel preparation in young patients.