Colon Transit Time and Management of Upper Motor NeuronType Neurogenic Bowel in Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the common gastrointestinal problems, diet and bowel care patterns, and to estimate the colon transit time in spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: Fifteen chronic spinal cord injured persons with upper motor neuron type neurogenic bowel were studied by measuring the colonic transit time and interviews. The colon transit time was studied by using radioopaque markers. Results: Mean total colonic transit time was 43.79 h with right colonic transit time 13.71 h, left colonic transit time 20.36 h, and rectosigmoid colonic transit time 9.71 h. The right colonic transit time was delayed in 35.7% of the subjects, left colonic transit time in 64.3%, and rectosigmoid colonic transit time in 21.4%. The common gastrointestinal problem in SCI were constipation (66.7%). The defecation difficulty (73.3%) was the most significant subjective symptom. Delayed colonic transit time was shown in 80% of perceived 'constipation' group. The average time spent for the defecation was 64.7 minutes per day. 73.3% of the subjects did not control the diet. Conclusion: Spinal cord injured persons of upper motor neuron type neurogenic bowel in Korea showed significantly delayed colonic transit time than non SCI adults, similar delayed colon transit time as Western SCI persons who consume less fibers in daily diets.