About this trial
To compare intestinal preparation with Lactulose vs. Sodium Phosphate as the better agent for performing high-quality colonoscopies at the Civil Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde and the Civil Hospital Juan I. Menchaca, both in Guadalajara, Mexico; as well as Hospital Santo Tomás in Panama City, Panama; and Hospital Gustavo Nelson Collado Ríos in Chitré, Panama; during the period from April 1, 2025, to November 30, 2025. The comparison will focus on colonoscopy quality, patient tolerance, satisfaction, and electrolyte changes, using the agents orally as part of the bowel preparation prior to the colonoscopy procedure.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Indication for Scheduled Colonoscopy: Participants must have a valid clinical indication for undergoing a scheduled colonoscopy, such as part of a colorectal cancer screening program, evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms, or follow-up of previously diagnosed colorectal conditions.
Ability to Provide Informed Consent: Participants must have the physical and mental capacity to understand the nature of the study and voluntarily provide informed consent to participate.
Disqualifiers
History of Intestinal Obstruction: Participants with a known or suspected history of intestinal obstruction will be excluded due to the potential risks associated with the administration of bowel preparation agents.
Known Intolerance to Lactulose or Sodium Phosphate: Participants with a known intolerance to lactulose or sodium phosphate will be excluded due to the risk of severe adverse reactions.
Pregnancy and Lactation: Pregnant or breastfeeding women will be excluded due to the lack of safety data on bowel preparation agents in this population.
Interfering Clinical Conditions (Comorbidities): Participants with medical conditions that could interfere with study participation or affect the interpretation of results will be excluded, such as decompensated heart failure, chronic renal or liver disease, and a history of colonic resection.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Bowel preparation before colonoscopy: Lactulose.
- Bowel preparation before colonoscopy: Sodium phosphate.