Abstract

Good bowel preparation is crucial for a successful colonoscopy; however, inadequate bowel preparation remains a frequent problem. We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled study to assess how a recipe booklet affects both the quality of bowel preparation and patient experience. This prospective trial involved 154 Turkish patients, irrespective of sex or underlying medical conditions. The booklet group (n=83) received a booklet containing visuals and step-by-step cooking instructions in addition to the standard colonoscopy preparation diet list, while the control group (n=71) was given only the routine colonoscopy diet list. The Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) was employed to assess the quality of bowel cleansing. After adjusting for risk factors, the odds of poor bowel preparation were approximately three times higher in the control group compared to the booklet group (odds ratio 2.606, 95% confidence interval: 1.203-5.647, p = .015). A post-procedure survey was assessed, and the findings revealed that the booklet group reported a positive experience with colonoscopy preparation. Providing a recipe booklet with visuals in addition to a colonoscopy diet list may improve bowel preparation, enhance patient adherence to the diet, and positively impact the overall patient experience.

Key words: Bowel preparation, colonoscopy, a recipe booklet, Boston Bowel Preparation Scale