Rectal potential difference and histology in Crohn's disease
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Rectal potential difference (PD) is reduced in active Crohn's disease, potentially indicating abnormal rectal sodium transport contributes to diarrhea. Mineralocorticoid stimulation showed limited response in active disease.
Area Of Science
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
Background
- Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Rectal potential difference (PD) reflects ion transport across the rectal mucosa.
- Assessing rectal PD may offer insights into CD pathophysiology.
Purpose Of The Study
- To establish a normal range for rectal PD in healthy individuals.
- To investigate the relationship between rectal PD and disease activity in Crohn's disease.
- To evaluate the utility of mineralocorticoid stimulation in assessing rectal function in CD.
Main Methods
- Measured resting rectal PD in 27 CD patients and 16 controls.
- Performed sigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsy in CD patients.
- Administered oral fludrocortisone to 13 CD patients to assess PD response.
Main Results
- Mean resting rectal PD was significantly lower in active CD and with superficial epithelial abnormalities.
- Patients with diarrhea had lower mean resting PD compared to those with normal bowel habits.
- Rectal PD failed to increase with fludrocortisone in patients with active disease.
Conclusions
- Reduced rectal PD in active CD suggests impaired rectal sodium transport may contribute to diarrhea.
- Mineralocorticoid stimulation is less sensitive than sigmoidoscopy or biopsy for detecting minor mucosal abnormalities in CD.