Patient characteristics
| PEG group | Lactulose group | |
| Number of patients | 60 | 55 |
| Age (years) | 55 (24) | 55 (22) |
| Age ⩽65 (n) | 35 | 37 |
| Age >65 (n) | 25 | 18 |
| Sex (F/M) | 51/9 | 43/12 |
| Inclusion criteria (n patients) | ||
| Less than 3 stools/week | 23 | 26 |
| Straining at stool | 6 | 8 |
| Both criteria | 31 | 20 |
| Premature withdrawal | 10 | 6 |
| Lost to follow up | 6 | 3 |
| Adverse effect | 2 | 1 |
| Treatment failure | 2 | 2 |