Patients were divided into three groups: 64 were instructed to drink two liters of warm water and 90 mL of sodium phosphate; 64 were instructed to drink two liters of cold water and 90 mL of sodium phosphate; and 64 were instructed to drink 90 mL of sodium phosphate with no additional water. Researchers assessed patients on demographics, procedure-related factors and degree of spasm, pain and technical difficulty.
According to the study, ileal intubation and withdrawal times were significantly shorter in the group instructed to drink warm water than in the other two groups. The warm water group also experienced less pain at the sigmoid colon and splenic flexure during colonoscopy and two hours after colonoscopy. No significant differences in the degree of spasm were reported.
The researchers concluded by noting that drinking warm water prior to colonoscopy seemed most beneficial in patients under 40 years-old and in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, according to the report.
Read the report on warm water and colonoscopy.
