Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Reproducibility and Performance Characteristics of Colonic Compliance, Tone, and Sensory Tests in Healthy Humans

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background The performance characteristics of colonic sensation and motility measurements are unclear. Aim To compare left colon compliance, tone, and sensation in males and females and to evaluate inter and intra-individual coefficients of variation (COV) in these measurements. Methods Data were acquired using standard barostat methods, by one technologist, in 72 human volunteers (38 males, 18–65 years). We measured compliance, fasting tone, and sensation during baseline and post-placebo; postprandial (PP) tone was measured only post-placebo. Compliance and thresholds for first sensation, gas, and pain were measured using ascending method of limits; sensory ratings (0–100 mm VAS) using random phasic distensions at 8–36 mmHg above baseline operating pressure. Change in PP tone was measured by barostat balloon volume for the first 30 min after a 1000-kcal meal. Inter-COV was calculated as 100 (SD/mean), and intra-COV as (100 × SD delta/overall mean). Results There were no statistically significant associations with gender for most sensory or motor data at baseline. A modest association of fasting colonic tone and gender was observed. COV are lower (20–35%) for compliance, fasting tone, pain threshold, and sensation ratings than for PP tone and threshold for first or gas sensation (>45%). COV data are similar in males and females; sensation COVs appear smaller in females than in males. Conclusions Testing of compliance, tone and pain, and gas sensation in left colon performs adequately to assess these functions in humans. Lower COV for sensation tests among females is relevant to plan studies of drugs intended for functional GI disorders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lembo T, Munakata J, Mertz H, et al. Evidence for the hypersensitivity of lumbar splanchnic afferents in irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 1994;107:1686–1696.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Mertz H, Naliboff B, Munakata J, Niazi N, Mayer EA. Altered rectal perception is a biological marker of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 1995;109:40–52. doi:10.1016/0016-5085(95)90267-8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Mearin F, Cucala M, Azpiroz F, Malagelada JR. The origin of symptoms on the brain-gut axis in functional dyspepsia. Gastroenterology. 1991;101:999–1006.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Camilleri M. Management of the irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 2001;120:652–668. doi:10.1053/gast.2001.21908.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Bouin M, Plourde V, Boivin M, et al. Rectal distention testing in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of pain sensory thresholds. Gastroenterology. 2002;122:1771–1777. doi:10.1053/gast.2002.33601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bouin M, Lupien F, Riberdy M, et al. Intolerance to visceral distension in functional dyspepsia or irritable bowel syndrome: an organ specific defect or a pan intestinal dysregulation? Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2004;16:311–314. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2004.00511.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lembo T, Naliboff B, Munakata J, et al. Symptoms and visceral perception in patients with pain-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999;94:1320–1326. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.01009.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Posserud I, Syrous A, Lindström L, et al. Altered rectal perception in irritable bowel syndrome is associated with symptom severity. Gastroenterology. 2007;133:1113–1123. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2007.07.024.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Dorn SD, Palsson OS, Thiwan SI, et al. Increased colonic pain sensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome is the result of an increased tendency to report pain rather than increased neurosensory sensitivity. Gut. 2007;56:1202–1209. doi:10.1136/gut.2006.117390.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Steens J, Van Der Schaar PJ, Penning C, Brussee J, Masclee AA. Compliance, tone and sensitivity of the rectum in different subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2002;14:241–247. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2982.2002.00332.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Whitehead WE, Delvaux M, The Working Team of Glaxo-Wellcome Research, UK. Standardization of barostat procedures for testing smooth muscle tone and sensory thresholds in the gastrointestinal tract. Dig Dis Sci. 1997;42:223–241. doi:10.1023/A:1018885028501.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Cremonini F, Houghton LA, Camilleri M, et al. Barostat testing of rectal sensation and compliance in humans: comparison of results across two centres and overall reproducibility. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2005;17:810–820. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2005.00709.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Grotz RL, Pemberton JH, Levin KE, Bell AM, Hanson RB. Rectal wall contractility in healthy subjects and in patients with chronic severe constipation. Ann Surg. 1993;218:761–768. doi:10.1097/00000658-199312000-00010.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Bell AM, Pemberton JH, Hanson RB, Zinsmeister AR. Variations in muscle tone of the human rectum: recordings with an electromechanical barostat. Am J Physiol. 1991;260:G17–G25.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Talley NJ, Phillips SF, Melton J III, Wiltgen C, Zinsmeister AR. A patient questionnaire to identify bowel disease. Ann Intern Med. 1989;111:671–674.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Hammer HF, Phillips SF, Camilleri M, Hanson RB. Rectal tone, distensibility, and perception: reproducibility and response to different distensions. Am J Physiol. 1998;274:G584–G590.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Floyd BNI, Camilleri M, Andresen V, Esfandyari T, Busciglio I, Zinsmeister AR. Comparison of mathematical methods for calculating colonic compliance in humans: power exponential, computer-based, and manual linear interpolation models. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20:330–335. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2007.01024.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Ford MJ, Camilleri M, Zinsmeister AR, Hanson RB. Psychosensory modulation of colonic sensation in the human transverse and sigmoid colon. Gastroenterology. 1995;109:1772–1780. doi:10.1016/0016-5085(95)90743-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bharucha AE, Camilleri M, Zinsmeister AR, Hanson RB. Adrenergic modulation of human colonic motor and sensory function. Am J Physiol. 1997;273:G997–G1006.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Delgado-Aros S, Chial HJ, Camilleri M, et al. Effects of a kappa-opioid agonist, asimadoline, on satiation and GI motor and sensory functions in humans. Am J Physiol. 2003;284:G558–G566.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Camilleri M, Bharucha AE, di Lorenzo C, et al. American neurogastroenterology and motility society consensus statement on intraluminal measurement of gastrointestinal and colonic motility in clinical practice. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20:1269–1282. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2008.01230.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Pensabene L, Youssef NN, Griffiths JM, Di Lorenzo C. Colonic manometry in children with defecatory disorders. Role in diagnosis and management. Am J Gastroenterol. 2003;98:1052–1057.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Martin MJ, Steele SR, Mullenix PS, Noel JM, Weichmann D, Azarow KS. A pilot study using total colonic manometry in the surgical evaluation of pediatric functional colonic obstruction. J Pediatr Surg. 2004;39:352–359. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2003.11.026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Di Lorenzo C, Solzi GF, Flores AF, Schwankovsky L, Hyman PE. Colonic motility after surgery for Hirschsprung’s disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:1759–1764.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Villarreal J, Sood M, Zangen T, et al. Colonic diversion for intractable constipation in children: colonic manometry helps guide clinical decisions. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2001;33:588–591. doi:10.1097/00005176-200111000-00014.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. van den Berg MM, Hogan M, Caniano DA, Di Lorenzo C, Benninga MA, Mousa HM. Colonic manometry as predictor of cecostomy success in children with defecation disorders. J Pediatr Surg. 2006;41:730–736. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2005.12.018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Camilleri M, McKinzie S, Busciglio I, et al. Prospective study of motor, sensory, psychologic, and autonomic functions in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008;6:772–781. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2008.02.060.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. van der Veek PP, Van Rood YR, Masclee AA. Symptom severity but not psychopathology predicts visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008;6:321–328. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2007.12.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Brock C, Nissen TD, Gravesen FH, et al. Multimodal sensory testing of the rectum and rectosigmoid: development and reproducibility of a new method. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20:908–918. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2008.01126.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Simrén M, Abrahamsson H, Björnsson ES. An exaggerated sensory component of the gastrocolonic response in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Gut. 2001;48:20–27. doi:10.1136/gut.48.1.20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Grover M, Kanazawa M, Palsson OS, et al. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in irritable bowel syndrome: association with colon motility, bowel symptoms, and psychological distress. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20:998–1008. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2008.01142.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Tack J, Broekaert D, Corsetti M, Fischler B, Janssens J. Influence of acute serotonin reuptake inhibition on colonic sensorimotor function in man. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;23:265–274. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02724.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Holtmann G, Goebell H, Talley NJ. Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome: is there a common pathophysiological basis? Am J Gastroenterol. 1997;92:954–959.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Camilleri M, Chang L. Challenges to the therapeutic pipeline for irritable bowel syndrome: end points and regulatory hurdles. Gastroenterology. 2008;135:1877–1891. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2008.09.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Dr Camilleri’s work on colon function is supported by grants R01-DK67071 and K24-DK02638 from National Institutes of Health. Dr Papathanasopoulos is supported by an international grant of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research (C.E.N.T.E.R.), College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Charlton 8-110, 200 First St. S.W, 55905, Rochester, MN, USA

    Suwebatu T. Odunsi, Michael Camilleri, Adil E. Bharucha, Athanasios Papathanasopoulos, Irene Busciglio, Duane Burton & Alan R. Zinsmeister

  2. Division of Biostatistics, Department of Health Sciences Research, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Alan R. Zinsmeister

Authors
  1. Suwebatu T. Odunsi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael Camilleri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adil E. Bharucha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Athanasios Papathanasopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Irene Busciglio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Duane Burton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Alan R. Zinsmeister
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Camilleri.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Odunsi, S.T., Camilleri, M., Bharucha, A.E. et al. Reproducibility and Performance Characteristics of Colonic Compliance, Tone, and Sensory Tests in Healthy Humans. Dig Dis Sci 55, 709–715 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0772-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0772-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation