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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines
Published on: January 27, 2016
Rectosigmoid motility and myoelectric activity in progressive systemic sclerosis
W E Whitehead1, G Taitelbaum, F M Wigley
1Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Gastroenterology
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Patients with progressive systemic sclerosis have reduced colon compliance, leading to increased contractile activity and diarrhea. Slow wave activity did not differ between patients and controls.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is an autoimmune disease that can affect gastrointestinal motility.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly diarrhea, are common in PSS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare colon motility and myoelectric slow wave activity in patients with PSS and healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between colon compliance, motility, and gastrointestinal symptoms in PSS.
Main Methods:
- Motility and myoelectric slow wave activity were recorded in the rectosigmoid and rectum of 10 PSS patients and 18 controls.
- Recordings were taken during baseline and in response to stepwise colon distention with a balloon.
- Activity index and maximum tolerable volume were measured.
Main Results:
- Baseline motility was similar between PSS patients and controls in both rectosigmoid and rectal regions.
- PSS patients exhibited lower tolerance for colon distention and increased contractile activity compared to controls.
- Maximum tolerable distention volume was inversely correlated with diarrhea complaints.
Conclusions:
- Decreased bowel compliance may contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea in PSS.
- Colon motility, specifically reduced compliance, appears to be a key factor in PSS-related gastrointestinal dysfunction.
- Myoelectric slow wave activity does not appear to be a distinguishing factor for PSS in the colon.
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