Clinical Research on the Relation Between Body Mass Index, Motilin and Slow Transit Constipation

Constipation is a common clinical symptom but its etiology remains unknown. The aims of the study are to discuss the relation between body mass index (BMI), motilin and the slow transit constipation (STC).

A total of 178 patients with STC and 123 healthy volunteers as controls were divided into three groups according to the BMI, group A (BMI <20), group B (BMI 20-25), and group C (BMI > 25). Fasting and one hour postprandial plasma motilin were measured and the results were analyzed.

There was significant difference in the constituent ratio between STC patients and healthy controls (p < 0.05). The percentage of group A, B and C in STC patients was 49.4% (88/178), 23.0% (41/178) and 27.6% (49/178), respectively; and group A had a higher percentage. Plasma motilin of fasting and one hour postprandial in STC patients of group A was significantly lower than that of group B and C (p < 0.05), but there was no difference between group B and C (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the results of plasma motilin of fasting and one hour postprandial among the three groups of healthy controls (p > 0.05). Plasma motilin of fasting and one hour postprandial in STC patients of group A was significantly lower than those healthy controls of group A (p < 0.05). The same results of plasma motilin of fasting and one hour postprandial could be seen in group B and C, respectively (p < 0.05).

A higher proportion of low BMI sufferers was found in the STC patients. The reason may be related to the lower release of the plasma motilin.