Measurement of colonic transit using a delayed-release capsule containing radio-opaque markers.
OBJECTIVE
Colonic transit scintigraphy has several advantages in comparison with radio-opaque marker (ROM) techniques but it is limited to specialized centers. The aim of the study was to validate the ROM technique for measuring colonic transit using delayed-release capsules.


METHODS
Colonic transit is expressed as the sum of the weighted mean marker residence times in the colon (geometric centers). Delayed-release capsules containing radio-opaque markers (DC-ROMs) or scintigraphic methods were compared simultaneously in 10 healthy volunteers. Reproducibility and responsiveness of DC-ROM measurements were evaluated in 10 healthy volunteers at an interval of 2 weeks and after bisacodyl treatment, respectively.


RESULTS
The transit profiles between the scintigraphic and DC-ROM methods were highly correlated (r = 0.994, p < 0.01). The reproducibility and responsiveness of DC-ROM measurements were good. Colonic transit measured by DC-ROM correlated with the stool form scale (r = 0.66, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The DC-ROM test is simple, highly reproducible, responsive, and appropriate for clinical trials and clinical practice.
Park
Jae Myung
JM
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Choi
Myung-Gyu
MG
Choi
Hwang
H
Cho
Yu Kyung
YK
Oh
Jung Hwan
JH
Lee
In Seok
IS
Kim
Sang Woo
SW
Choi
Kyu Yong
KY
Chung
In-Sik
IS
D000328:Adult; D002214:Capsules; D003106:Colon / Q000502:physiology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate