Oral sulfate solution benefits polyp and adenoma detection during colonoscopy: Meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES: Although oral sulfate solution (OSS) has been revealed to be not only safe and efficacious but also noninferior to polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG + ASC), it is unclear whether OSS can ultimately increase the polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR). We performed this meta‐analysis to estimate the effect of OSS on PDR and ADR during colonoscopy. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the comparative effect of OSS versus PEG + ASC on the PDR and ADR during colonoscopy. Cecal intubation time (CIT), cecal intubation rate (CIR), and bowel preparation score were also evaluated. Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.3.0 was used to perform statistical analysis. RESULTS: Eight RCTs involving 2059 patients fulfilled the selection criteria. Meta‐analysis suggested that OSS significantly increased the PDR (47.34% vs. 40.14%, risk ratio [RR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03−1.24, P = 0.01) and ADR (44.60% vs. 38.14%, RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03−1.33, P = 0.01) during colonoscopy. Subgroup analysis showed that the beneficial effects of OSS on PDR and ADR were consistent among patients with mean age >55 years and with body mass index <25 kg/m(2) receiving outpatient colonoscopy, morning colonoscopy, and the 2‐L bowel preparation protocol. Meanwhile, patients receiving OSS had a beneficial bowel preparation score. CONCLUSION: Compared with polyethylene glycol‐based regimens, the OSS bowel preparation regimen significantly increased the PDR and ADR in patients undergoing colonoscopy.