Colonic Detoxification among Patients Attending General Surgical Clinics: An Epidemiological Study
Nuanpan Potisansakul MD*, Chumpon Wilasrusmee MD, MSc*, Saowaros Panichvisai BA*, Plubplung Tangsakuntong BNS*, Ninatthanan Phromsopha MSc*, Panuwat Lertsitichai MD, MPH*
Affiliation : * Department of Surgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok
Background : Colonic detoxification is a popular form of “alternative medicine”.
Objective : To study the epidemiology of colonic detoxification in general surgical outpatients.
Materials and Methods : Questionnaires consisting of items measuring demographic variables, methods and
resources of colonic detoxification, factors associated with the preference to undergo colonic detoxification,
and results of colonic detoxification were administered to general surgical outpatients. Patients were classified
as having colorectal and non-colorectal conditions.
Results : One thousand nine hundred and thirty nine questionnaires were distributed and returned. Ninety-
one patients (4.7%) had colonic detoxification. More female patients performed colonic detoxification than
male patients (83.5% vs. 16.5%). The mean age of patients who performed colonic detoxification was 50.0 +
11.3 years (range 22-71 years). Coffee was the most commonly used substance for colonic detoxification
(90.1%). The majority of patients performed the procedures by themselves (73.6%). The frequency of procedures
was 1-5 times per month in 26.4% of patients. Seventy eight percent of patients felt better, while 17.6% felt the
same and 4.4% felt worse after the procedure. The patients who performed colonic detoxification had more
colorectal problems than those who did not; the risk ratio was 1.35 (95% CI, 0.82 to 2.22), but this was not
statistically significant (p = 0.241). In subgroup analysis, cancer was the significant preferential factor in
patients who performed colonic detoxification (risk ratio = 1.55 (95% CI, 1.13-2.14), and p-value = 0.011).
The complication rate of colonic detoxification was 2.19% (rectal bleeding).
Conclusion : The presented article was the first study of colonic detoxification in a Thai population. The result
of the present study suggests that colorectal conditions are not related to the performance of colonic detoxi-
fication.
Keywords : Colonic hydrotherapy, Coffee enema, Colorectal diseases, Complication
