Is colon-cleansing related to educational level?

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate if education level has any effect on bowel cleansing.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 100 patients (54 males, 46 females; mean age 55±14 years; range, 19 to 83 years) who underwent colonoscopy for any reason in the Endoscopy Unit of Gastroenterology Department of Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital between 01 August 2015 and 30 November 2015. Data were obtained from the computerized system of the hospital. We grouped patients according to age, gender, educational status, being inpatient or outpatient, colon-cleansing and if cecum was accessed or not.

Results: Twenty-nine patients were unschooled and 19 patients were illiterate. Ten of the 19 patients in whom cecal intubation was not achieved were unschooled. Cecal intubation rate (CIR) in outpatients was higher than inpatients (84% vs. 54% and p=0.002). Cecal intubation rate was lower in the illiterate patients than the literate patients (57% vs. 86% and p=0.008). Cecal intubation rate was lower in the unschooled patients than the schooled patients (65% vs. 87% and p=0.01). Cecum was accessed in all patients who were university graduates. Inadequate bowel cleansing rate was lower in the illiterate patients than the literate patients (21% vs. 42% and p=0.05).

Conclusion: All colonic mucosa should be carefully examined for an effective colonoscopy. Bowel cleansing, including preliminary procedure preparations, should be handled with care. It may be beneficial to emphasize the importance of preparations using educational videos and raise awareness in this regard. Colonoscopy results may be unsatisfactory if the training and comfort of patients are inadequate.