A new method for the determination of gastrointestinal transit times

A new method for the determination of the gastrointestinal transit time (TT) is described. The normal range of the TT was 40--95 h in 58 normal subjects. No age or sex variation of the TT was disclosed. In 25 out-patients with the irritable bowel syndrome the TT was determined before and after 3 weeks' treatment with Vi-Siblin. Of these patients, 20% initially showed a prolonged TT; this decreased during treatment with Vi-Siblin. In the patients with normal TT, this remained unchanged during the treatment. Our study suggests that patients with long TT, long intervals between bowel movements, and frequent attacks of colicky abdominal pain may derive benefit from a plant fibre supplement to their diet. The method for the determination of the TT described is well suited to out-patient studies--also in large populations--since it is relatively easy to perform, stool collection is unnecessary, and the method shows good reproducibility.