title: Colonic transit time and IBS symptoms: what's the link?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relevance of colonic transit alterations for the overall symptom pattern in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to assess the total and segmental colonic transit time (CTT) and their relationship to symptoms and subgroups in a large sample of IBS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total and segmental CTT was assessed using radiopaque markers in 359 patients with IBS (279 females). These results were compared with existing normal values for healthy men and women without gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Stool frequency and consistency (Bristol Stool Form (BSF) scale), and the perceived severity of three GI symptoms (bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain) were noted in a daily diary during the measurement week. Patients could be classified by the BSF scale characteristics into Rome III subtypes (n=338), or by use of the Rome II modular questionnaire into Rome II subtypes (n=143).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CTT was normal in 287 patients (80%), whereas 53 (15%) had accelerated and 19 (5%) had delayed CTT. Transit abnormalities in relation to gender-specific reference values were more common in males (30.0%) than in females (17.2%; P < 0.05). IBS subgrouping according to Rome III (P < 0.0001) and Rome II criteria (P < 0.001) was associated with the presence of abnormal CTT. Stool form (r=-0.40; P < 0.0001) and stool frequency (r=-0.30; P<0.0001) were moderately and negatively correlated to total CTT. No correlations of clinical significance were found between transit data and the three GI symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Total and segmental colonic transit alterations are of importance for the abnormal bowel habit seen in men and women with IBS, but of no or minor importance for other IBS symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. hans.tornblom@qu.se
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Törnblom
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Oudenhove
authors.forename: Riadh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sadik
authors.forename: Hasse
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abrahamsson
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simrén
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003106:Colon / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003672:Defecation; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult