Limitations in the use of /sup 14/C-glycocholate breath and stool bile acid determinations in patients with chronic diarrhea

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · J. Clin. Gastroenterol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004836-198606000-00011· OSTI ID:5094411

Ferguson, J; Walker, K; Thomson, A B

Analysis of a modified /sup 14/C-glycocholate breath test on 165 consecutive in-patients being investigated for chronic diarrhea showed that the measurement of /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ between 3 and 6 h after oral dosing of 5 microCi of /sup 14/C-glycocholic acid was of only limited use to distinguish between patients with Crohn's disease (CD), idiopathic bile salt wastage (IBW), or ileal resection (IR) from those with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Continuing /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ collections for up to 24 h was of little more help in establishing the presence of bacterial overgrowth syndrome (BOS) and in distinguishing between BOS and CD. Stool bile acid measurements were of use in differentiating between IBW and IBS, but did not distinguish between CD and BOS or between CD and IR. Since the range of normal values was defined by measurements in the IBS group, a positive test was specific for an organic cause of chronic diarrhea. Even so, the sensitivity of the test was relatively low: CD, 53%; IR, 23%; IBW, /sup 14/%; and BOS, 10%. We believe that the 24-h /sup 14/C-glycocholic breath test combined with the measurement of stool bile acids represents a screening test of only limited use for the identification of organic causes of chronic diarrhea.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton
• OSTI ID: 5094411
• Journal Information: J. Clin. Gastroenterol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Clin. Gastroenterol.; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
DIAGNOSTIC USES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DIAGNOSIS
BILE ACIDS
BREATH
CARBON DIOXIDE
DIARRHEA
FECES
PATIENTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DISEASES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
STEROIDS
STEROLS
SYMPTOMS
USES
WASTES
550601* - Medicine- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics