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Am J Gastroenterol 1989 Aug;84(8):888-91 |
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Mouth-to-cecum transit
time in patients affected by chronic constipation: effect of
glucomannan.
Marzio L, Del Bianco R, Donne MD, Pieramico O, Cuccurullo
F.
Istituto di Fisiopatologia Medica, Universita' di Chieti, Italy.
Mouth-to-cecum transit time was studied in 13 patients affected
by chronic idiopathic constipation and 18 control subjects matched
with the constipation group for age, sex, and dietary habits.
In a preliminary investigation, all patients showed a prolonged
whole gut (oroanal) transit time as measured with radiopaque
markers. Mouth-to-cecum transit time was studied through the
serial determination of breath H2 after administration of 12
g lactulose diluted in 120 ml water. Breath H2 was measured
with a gas analyzer and was determined in parts per million
(ppm). Breath H2 after lactulose was also determined in the
group with constipation after a 10-day diet that included either
glucomannan (1 g tid orally) or placebo administered in a double-blind
manner. The results show a statistically significant increase
in mouth-to-cecum transit time in the group with constipation,
compared with controls, and a return to within the normal range
after the 10-day treatment with glucomannan. With placebo,
no difference in transit time was noted. We therefore suggest
that chronic idiopathic constipation is a disease that involves
the whole gut.
Publication Types:
- Clinical Trial
- Controlled Clinical Trial
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