High body mass alters colonic sensory-motor function and transit in humans

There is increased prevalence of abdominal pain and diarrhea and decreased gastric sensation with increased body mass index (BMI). Our hypothesis is that increased BMI is associated with increased colonic motility and sensation. The study aim was to assess effect of BMI on colonic sensory and motor functions and transit. We used a database of colonic tone, compliance, and perception of distensions measured by intracolonic, barostat-controlled balloon, and gastrointestinal transit was measured by validated scintigraphy in healthy obese and nonobese subjects. Regression analysis was applied to assess the association of BMI with colonic sensory and motor functions. We included adjustments for sex differences, age, height, balloon volumes during distension, and psychological stress. Among 165 participants (87 women, 78 men), increased BMI was associated with decreased colonic compliance (P < 0.006, adjusted), decreased pain rating during distensions (P = 0.02, adjusted), and a higher threshold for pain (P = 0.042, adjusted). Sensation for gas, colonic tone, and contraction after meal ingestion were not significantly associated with BMI. Transit was assessed in 72 participants (41 women, 31 men); colonic transit was faster with BMI >30 kg/m2 (P = 0.003 unadjusted, P = 0.08 adjusted for gender). In conclusion, BMI >25 kg/m2 is associated with decreased colonic compliance and pain sensation; colonic transit is accelerated particularly with BMI >30 kg/m2 in women. These data suggest that colonic dysfunction may contribute to diarrhea, but the cause of increased abdominal pain in obesity is not explained by the studies of colonic sensation and requires further study of afferent, spinal, and central mechanisms

Functional dyspepsia, upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and transit in children

To assess the prevalence of abnormal gastric emptying and small bowel transit in children with functional dyspepsia at a tertiary care center, and the relationship between abnormal gastric and small bowel transit and symptoms in pediatric patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. Patients were selected by a cross-sectional chart review based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) completion of scintigraphic study of the gastric emptying of solids at 2 hours (GE2), 4 hours (GE4), and small bowel transit at 6 hours (SBT) using a standardized egg meal labeled with 99mTechnetium sulfur colloid, and (2) gastrointestinal (GI) complaints without mucosal or organic disease. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between the presence of upper GI symptoms, and each parameter of gastric and small bowel transit. Children with upper GI symptoms (n=96) were identified. Among 57 children with functional dyspepsia, 40% had slow SBT. Fast GE at 4 hours, and slow SBT were independently associated with bloating. Children with fast SBT were less likely to report abdominal pain. Incorporating assessments of gastric and small bowel transit may be useful in the evaluation of pediatric patients with upper GI symptoms and functional dyspepsi

The role of pelvic floor dysfunction and slow colonic transit in adolescents with refractory constipation

Although pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is recognized as a cause of refractory constipation in adults, this diagnosis is not frequently considered in children and adolescents with refractory constipation. The purpose of this study was to examine the symptoms and colonic transit in adolescents with constipation evaluated for a disorder in pelvic floor function. Adolescents with refractory constipation who had undergone anorectal manometry (ARM) and balloon expulsion test (BET) were identified by retrospective review of records. Initial symptoms and the clinician's assessment were used to categorize patients by pediatric Rome II criteria, that is, functional constipation (FC), constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) or functional fecal retention (FFR). Results of scintigraphic colonic transit studies were evaluated. A chi2 test was used to assess the association between individual clinical symptoms and Rome II criteria. Sixty-seven adolescents underwent evaluation of pelvic floor function by tests for PFD: BET was abnormal in 42%. There was no underlying disease or alternative diagnosis to account for the constipation in these patients. Among the 41 patients who also underwent scintigraphic colonic transit, 30% had slow transit constipation and 12% had both slow colonic transit and abnormal BET. Patients classified as C-IBS were more likely to report weight loss (p = 0.03), bloating (p = 0.04), and incomplete rectal evacuation (p = 0.03). Abnormal pelvic floor function and delayed colonic transit are demonstrable as single or combined problems in adolescents with refractory constipatio

Gastrointestinal physiological changes and their relationship to weight loss following the POSE procedure.

BACKGROUND: Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal (POSE) is a novel bariatric endoscopic procedure that has been shown to reduce weight safely through 12 months. The study investigated potential mechanisms of weight loss following POSE. METHODS: Patients with class I-II obesity received transmural plications in the gastric fundus and distal gastric body. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 2- and 6-month follow-up with gastric-emptying (GE) scintigraphy, a validated test of intake capacity (kcal) and plasma glucose homeostasis hormones/gastrointestinal peptides. Weight was recorded through 15 months. Mean data and 95 % CIs are reported. Regression modeling assessed variables that influenced total weight loss (%TWL) and excess weight loss (%EWL). RESULTS: POSE was performed on 18 patients (14 F/4 M); mean age 39 years (34-44), body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) 36 (95 % CI, 35; 37). At 15 months (n = 15), mean TWL was 19.1 ± 6.6 % (15.5; 22.8) and EWL was 63.7 ± 25.1 % (49.8; 77.6). At 2 and 6 months (n = 18), intake capacity decreased significantly from 901 (685; 1117) to 473 (345; 600) and 574 kcal (418; 730), respectively (p < 0.001). At 2 months, GE was delayed but returned to baseline levels at 6 months (n = 18). Glucose/insulin ratio improved (p < 0.05). Postprandial decrease in ghrelin was enhanced (p = 0.03) as well as postprandial increase in PYY (p = 0.001). The best model for EWL prediction 15 months after POSE (R (2): 66 %, p = 0.006) included pre-POSE BMI, post-POSE GE, and postprandial PYY increase. CONCLUSIONS: The POSE procedure was followed by significant sustained weight loss and improved glucose homeostasis and satiation peptide responses. Weight loss following POSE may be mediated through changes in gastrointestinal neuro-endocrine physiology.Manuscript development was financially supported by USGI Medical, Inc., US