Calcium carbonate treatment of diarrhoea in intestinal bypass patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of supplemental calcium carbonate on faecal water, calcium, bile acid and lipid concentration and output in intestinal bypass subjects with diarrhoea.


METHODS
Prospective, single-arm treatment trial of oral calcium carbonate, 2400 or 3600 mg Ca2+ per day, given for 12 weeks.


METHODS
Faecal constituents were determined in wet or lyophilized stool of 24-h collections at baseline and at 12 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 supplementation 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 correlated with dry faecal calcium concentration (r = -0.75 P = 0.00001).


CONCLUSIONS
Calcium reduces the diarrhoea of intestinal bypass patients. It is suggested that the constipating effect of calcium may be related to reduction in faecal water.
Steinbach
G
G
Department of Medicine, St Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Lupton
J
J
Reddy
B S
BS
Lee
J J
JJ
Kral
J G
JG
Holt
P R
PR
D000328:Adult; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007581:Jejunoileal Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002119:Calcium Carbonate