Effect of cold pressor test and a high-chilli diet on rectosigmoid motility in irritable bowel syndrome

Visceral hypersensitivity characterizes the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We evaluated the effect of a cold pressor test (CPT)--hand immersion in ice water for 1 minute, which evokes a sympathetic response--on rectosigmoid motility in patients with IBS and normal volunteers. Since many Indian patients with IBS complain of worsening of symptoms following a spicy meal, we also evaluated whether a high-chilli diet affects symptoms or changes rectosigmoid motility.

Fifteen men with IBS and 13 normal volunteers (all men) were studied. Baseline rectosigmoid manometry was done for 2 h, i.e., 1 h pre- and 1 h post-CPT. The subjects were then kept in hospital on a regular diet (approximately 5 g chilli daily) for 3 days, following which symptoms were reassessed and manometry repeated for 1 h. This was followed by a high-chilli diet (approximately 15 g/day) for 3 days, after which symptoms were reassessed and manometry repeated for 1 h.

There was no difference in the baseline study in the pre-CPT period between patients and control subjects. CPT did not change rectosigmoid motility in either group. IBS patients had varied effect on symptoms but no change in rectosigmoid motility after the high-chilli diet. In the normal volunteers, there was increased activity in the low rectum after the high-chilli diet.

Cold pressor test does not affect rectosigmoid motility in patients with IBS or normal subjects. A high-chilli diet has varied effect on symptoms in patients with IBS and does not affect rectosigmoid motility.