G. Steinbach et al., CALCIUM-CARBONATE TREATMENT OF DIARRHEA IN INTESTINAL-BYPASS PATIENTS, European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 8(6), 1996, pp. 559-562
Objective: To study the effect of supplemental calcium carbonate on fa
ecal water, calcium, bile acid and lipid concentration and output in i
ntestinal bypass subjects with diarrhoea. Design: Prospective, single-
arm treatment trial of oral calcium carbonate, 2400 or 3600 mg Ca2+ pe
r day, given for 12 weeks. Methods: Faecal constituents were determine
d in wet or lyophilized stool of 24-h collections at baseline and at 1
2 weeks of study. Calcium was measured by absorption spectrophotometry
. Bile acids, long-chain fatty acids and short-chain fatty acids were
analysed by gas chromatography. Results: In 15 subjects, calcium suppl
ementation reduced bowel frequency by a mean of 49%, faecal wet weight
by a mean of 50% (1292 to 646 g per day), and dry weight by a mean of
36%, P<0.001. Faecal water concentration was reduced from 76.4 +/- 1%
to 70.2 +/- 2%, P<0.01. Faecal water concentration was inversely corr
elated with dry faecal calcium concentration (r = -0.75, P = 0.00001).
Conclusion: Calcium reduces the diarrhoea of intestinal bypass patien
ts. It is suggested that the constipating effect of calcium may be rel
ated to reduction in faecal water.