One‐day versus three‐day low‐residue diet bowel preparation regimens before colonoscopy: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background and AimAlthough studies have shown that the quality of bowel preparation with low‐residue diet (LRD) is as effective as that of clear fluid diet (CLD), there is currently no consensus on how long an LRD should last. The aim of this study was to compare a 1‐day versus 3‐day LRD on bowel preparation before colonoscopy.MethodsA systematic review search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane database from inception to April 2023. We identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared 1‐day with 3‐day LRD bowel cleansing regiments for patients undergoing colonoscopy. The rate of adequate bowel preparation, polyp detection rate, adenoma detection rate, tolerability, willingness to repeat preparation, and adverse events were estimated using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We also performed meta‐analysis to identify risk factors and predictors of inadequate preparation.ResultsFour studies published between 2019 and 2023 with 1927 participants were included. The present meta‐analysis suggested that 1‐day LRD was comparable with 3‐day LRD for adequate bowel preparation (OR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.65–1.21; P = 0.45; I2 = 0%; P = 0.52). The polyp detection rate (OR 0.94; 95% CI, 0.77–1.14; P = 0.52; I2 = 23%; P = 0.27) and adenoma detection rate (OR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.71–1.08; P = 0.21; I2 = 0%; P = 0.52) were similar between the groups. There were significantly higher odds of tolerability in patients consuming 1‐day LRD compared with 3‐day LRD (OR 1.64; 95% CI, 1.13–2.39; P < 0.01; I2 = 47%; P = 0.15). In addition, constipation was identified as the independent predictor of inadequate preparation (OR 1.98; 95% CI, 1.27–3.11; P < 0.01; I2 = 0%; P = 0.46).ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that a 1‐day LRD was as effective as a 3‐day CLD in the quality of bowel preparation before colonoscopy and significantly improved tolerability of patients. In addition, constipation is an independent risk factor of poor bowel preparation, and the duration of LRD in patients with constipation still needs further clinical trials.