Bile salt diarrhea

Alterations in bile acid metabolism and in the enterohepatic circulation are often associated with chronic diarrhea and should be considered when more common causes of chronic diarrhea have been excluded. Bile acid diarrhea most often occurs in disease or resection of the terminal ileum, in which there is increased exposure of the colonic mucosa to bile salts with consequent activation of fluid and electrolyte secretion. Congenital or acquired defects in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids also may lead to diarrhea. Although multiple diagnostic tests may be considered to confirm abnormal fecal bile acid losses, the most critical elements of the clinical evaluation of suspected bile acid diarrhea are a careful history to exclude more common causes of chronic diarrhea and a diagnostic trial of bile acid-binding resins.