A study on colonic transit test and ano-manometry in functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Objective To investigate rectal visceral perception、 anorectal manometry and colonic transit time in functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to assess their variety of manometric abnormalities. Methods The cases with functional constipation and constipation-predominant IBS were studied in a colonic transit test by radiopaque markers. Rectal visceral perception thresholds, rectal compliance and anorectal manometry were examined in patients with functional constipation or constipation-predominant IBS by electric barastat. Results The colonic transit time in both groups of constipation patients was abnormal. A lot of radiopaque markers remined in right colon when patients with constipation-predominant IBS were examined, as the patients with functional constipation in anorectum. The anorectal resting pressure, squeeze pressure and relaxation pressure were similar in both groups. Rectal compliance and defecation thresholds were much higher than normal, and the rectal visceral perception of functional constipation was also abnormal. Conclusion The motility abnormalities between functional constipation and constipation-predominant IBS occure in the different colonic segments. The results suggested that colonic transit test and anorectal manometry might provide a method in differentiatial diagnosis.