SIMPLIFIED ASSESSMENT OF COLONIC TRANSIT- TIME WITH A SINGLE TYPE OF MARKER AND ONE RADIOGRAPHY - NORMAL VALUES IN 82 VOLUNTEERS OF BOTH SEXES

Assessment of total and segmental colonic transit times (CTT) in man u sing a single type of radiopaque marker and one abdominal X-ray has be en validated but not extensively studied. The aims of our prospective study were to establish normal values of this method as a function of age, gender and fiber intake in healthy subjects. Eighty-two healthy v olunteers (51 men, 31 women, mean age 38 yr, range 21-61) with normal stool frequency (between 3/day and 3/week) and no history of gastroint estinal disease or medication were enrolled and ingested 10 small (3 m m edge) radiopaque markers every morning for 6 consecutive days. On th e 7th day, an abdominal X-ray was performed to calculate total and seg mental (right, left, rectosigmoid) CTT according to Arhan's method (CC T = 2.4 N; N = number of markers in the considered zone). During the s tudy the number of stools was recorded and fiber intake estimated on a questionnaire. Stool frequency, total and segmental CTT were evaluate d for differences due to age, gender and/or fiber intake. In volunteer s, total, left and rectosigmoid CTT were closely related to stool freq uency (P = 0.0001) being longer in women than in men (P < 0.02). In co ntrast, right CTT was independent of gender or stool frequency. Finall y, in this group CTT were independent of age and fiber intake. This st udy confirms the influence of gender on CTT and demonstrates the abili ty of this simple and non-invasive method (0.08 mrad surface exposure) to assess CTT. Its use as a diagnostic tool in self-defined constipat ed patients would be of interest in clinical practice.