Effectiveness of Prokinetic Agents in Improving Abdominal Discomfort at Colonoscopy

colonoscopy has been a preferred modality for colorectal screening which efficiently reduce in morbidity and mortality of the disaese. Although colonoscopy is a safe procedure, some patients may be suffered from major and minor complications. Abdominal discomfort (approximately 30%) usually persisted for 2 days after colonoscopy. These unsatisfactory experiences might affect the patients' willingness to return for a repeat colonoscopy, which the loss of adherence eventually reduce the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening and surveillance. Furthermore, during colonoscopy preparation, the patients are required to take large volume Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage (PEG-EL) solution for bowel preparation which possibly lead to unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms likewise. Prokinetic agents are a class of drugs that promoted gastrointestinal motility and, thereby, decrease transit time. This stimulatory effect was considered clinically relevant to the management of disorders characterized by impaired motility, such as gastro-esophageal reflux, gastroparesis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and colonic inertia. Prokinetic agents have various mechanism such as Cholinergic agonists, Dopamine antagonists (i.e.Domperidone, Metoclopramide), Serotonergic agonists (i.e. Cisapride, Prucalopride,Mosapride). Interestingly, these drugs have been used to minimize the unpleasant abdominal symptoms from colonoscopy. The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of a prokinetic agent in alleviating abdominal discomfort during the period of colonoscopy preparation and aftercolonoscopy consecutively.