Gastric secretion in cystic fibrosis in relation to the migrating motor complex

Background: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have been claimed to have de fect intestinal motility and gastric acid secretion. The aim of this work w as to study the interdigestive motility and the motility-related secretions in the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with CF compared to health y controls. Methods: Concomitant gastroduodenal manometry combined with int ragastric perfusion was performed in 12 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with CF. Results: Eight CF patients showed a normal migrating motor complex . Motility-related gastric secretion of acid and bicarbonate was evaluated in six patients and did not differ from healthy subjects. Gastric net fluid secretion was significantly decreased in the CF patients and bilirubin ref lux was significantly increased. The CF patients with pancreatic insufficie ncy lacked motility-related variations in plasma levels of motilin and panc reatic peptide. Conclusions: No defect in fasting motility or gastric secre tion of acid or bicarbonate could he seen in well-nourished adult CF patien ts. The main finding was a significantly lower net fluid secretion and high er bilirubin reflux compared to healthy subjects, indications of a genetic relationship could be seen.