Small bowel motility in primary biliary cirrhosis

Objective: Previous studies have shown small bowel motor activity abnormali ties in patients with liver cirrhosis of different etiologies, but motility has not been studied in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, Our aim w as to investigate proximal small bowel motility in these patients. Methods: Twenty-five female patients presenting clinical, biochemical, serological, and histological findings compatible with primary biliary cirrhosis, 10 fe male patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, and 10 normal female contr ols were studied. Motility of the upper small bowel was measured in the fas ted state by means of perfused manometric catheters, connected to external transducers and positioned in the small bowel under fluoroscopy. Results: T he average amplitude of contractions was significantly decreased in patient s with primary biliary cirrhosis compared with other liver cirrhosis (20.2 +/- 1.0 vs 32 +/- 2.9 mm Hg). Also, a significantly increased frequency of cluster of contractions and an increased duration of phase II of the migrat ing motor complex as seen in liver cirrhosis was observed when compared wit h normals. Conclusion: We conclude that primary biliary cirrhosis patients present motor abnormalities of the small intestine similar to those of pati ents with liver cirrhosis of other etiologies. In addition, a decrease in t he amplitude of small bowel contractions was also found in these patients, suggesting a myogenic involvement. (C) 1998 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterolog y.