Korean J Nephrol.  2006 Mar;25(2):289-294.

Colonic Transit Time in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients with Constipation

• Lee YM
• Jung SW
• Ju HJ
• Shim H
• Kim YS
• Shin JH
• Seo GS
• Ahn SH
• Song JH
• Park OL

Abstract

Many hemodialysis patients suffer from constipation. The increased incidence of constipation in long-term dialysis patients is based mainly on self-reported data. So, we conducted a survey on 10 hemodialysis patents with constipation by using total and segmental colonic transit time of radio-opaque markers. Segmental colonic transit times were calculated separately for 3 segments of the colon (right, left, and rectosigmoid) and total transit time, which was the sum of all 3 segment times. On results, colonic transit time was significantly prolonged in hemodialysis patient than in healthy control (42.2+/-20.11 versus 10.57+/-12.8 hour; p<0.0001). Increased colonic transit times in the right and especially rectosigmoid segments, but not the left segment, contributed to the prolongation in total colonic transit time. In conclusion, we suggest that colonic transit time measurement is helpful to tailor therapy because it helps us determine the prolonged segment of the colon in hemodialysis patients with constipation.

Keyword

Colonic transit time; Constipation; Hemodialysis

MeSH Terms

Colon*
Constipation*
Dialysis
Humans
Incidence
Renal Dialysis*