The Value of a Modified Colonic Transit Test in the Diagnosis of Chronic Constipation

Objectives To explore the value of performing a modified colonic transit test in the diagnosis of chronic constipation.Methods we retrospectively analyzed the results in 101 patients admitted to the MDT Outpatient Clinic of Subei People’s Hospital,Jiangsu Province,China,from July 1,2019,to July 31,2021.Patients were prohibited from using drugs and stimulant foods that could affect bowel motility for three days before and during the examination.We performed two abdominal X-rays at 6 and 72 hours after oral ingestion of the barium suspension to observe the residual condition of barium in the patient's colon.We then gave specific treatments based on the different types of constipation detected in the patients.Results Compared with patients with normal transit,patients with slow transit(P<0.001)and patients with rectal evacuation disorders had a significantly reduced stool frequency(P<0.05).The kappa coefficient of the modified colonic transit test compared to anorectal manometry in the diagnosis of functional defecation disorders(FDDs)was 0.649,indicating substantial consistency between the two methods.Conclusion The modified colonic transit test not only assesses colonic transit function and provides an initial determination of the type of constipation,but also shows the colon morphology,providing a reference for possible subsequent treatments.

THE COLONIC TRANSIT TEST IN THE ASSESSMENT OF CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

In order to assess colonic motility of chronic constipation, colonic transit test was carried out in 34 patients with chronic constipation and in 20 healthy subjects. 20 radiopaque markers are ingested at 8 am before the day test, and plain abdominal films were obtained at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The normal value of colonic transit test was 16(80%), or more markers passed after 72 h. By means of transit time study, 34 constipated patients were classified into 2 groups: 12 normal transit patients and 22 slow transit patients. There was no difference in colonic transit time between normal transit patients and controls (P>005). Patients with slow transit had more markers left in right colon, left colon and rectosigmoid colon at 48 h (P<001, respectively) and 72 h (P<001, respectively). According to the transit index, 22 slow transit patients were divided into 3 types: 10 cases colonic stasis, 8 cases outlet obstruction and 4 cases colorectal stasis. The study suggests that chronic constipated patients have abnormalbilities of colonic transit.