Normative values for region-specific colonic and gastrointestinal transit times in 111 healthy volunteers using the 3D-Transit electromagnet tracking system: Influence of age, gender, and body mass index.

BACKGROUND

The 3D-Transit electromagnet tracking system (Motilis Medica, SA, Lausanne, Switzerland) is an emerging tool for the ambulatory assessment of gastrointestinal (GI) transit and motility. Using this tool, we aimed to derive normative values for region-specific colonic and GI transit times and to assess the influence of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

Regional and total colonic transit times (CTT), gastric emptying (GET), small intestinal (SITT), and whole gut (WGTT) transit times were extracted from 111 healthy volunteers from the United Kingdom and Denmark (58 female; median age: 40 years [range: 21-88]). The effects of age, gender, and BMI were assessed using standard statistical methods.

KEY RESULTS

The ascending, transverse, descending, and rectosigmoid colon transit times accounted for 32%, 34%, 17%, and 17% of total CTT in females, and 33%, 25%, 14%, and 28% of total CTT in males. CTT and WGTT were seen to cluster at intervals separated by approximately 24 hours, providing further evidence of the non-continuous nature of these measurements. Increasing age was associated with longer CTT (P = .021), WGTT (P < .001) ascending (P = .004), transverse (P < .001), and total right (P < .001) colon transit times, but shorter rectosigmoid (P = .004) transit time. Female gender was significantly associated with longer transverse (P = .049) and descending (P < .001) colon transit times, but shorter rectosigmoid (P < .001) transit time. Increasing BMI was significantly associated with shorter WGTT (P = .012).

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

For the first time, normative reference values for region-specific colonic transit have been presented. Age, gender, and BMI were seen to have an effect on transit times.