Human Colonic Motility: A Comparative Study of Normal Subjects, Patients with Ulcerative Colitis, and Patients with the Irritable Colon Syndrome

Abstract

Summary 1.A comparative study has been made of the effect of emotion on the motor activity of the colon in normal subjects, in patients with ulcerative colitis, and patients with the irritable colon syndrome. 2.The method used was to hold an interview with the subjects, while simultaneously recording the pressure from the sigmoid colon, and to discuss a variety of topics including any which appeared relevant to the illness in the case of patients. 3.Some subjects showed definite colonic hyperactivity in relation to certain topics. The topics were specific to the particular individual. The rises of intracolonic pressure induced by this means were sometimes considerable. Not only did some of the patients with irritable colon syndrome and ulcerative colitis show these specific responses, but some of the normal subjects did so also. There was no difference among the three clinical groups in the proportion of subjects showing such a positive colonic response to an emotionally charged interview. 4.The possible relationship between these changes in colonic motility and colonic disorder and disease is briefly discussed.