Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The SeHCAT test was used to investigate possible bile acid malabsorption in 166 patients presenting to a district general hospital with chronic diarrhoea of uncertain cause. Eighty-four (51%) patients had impaired SeHCAT retention. These included 23 of 28 patients with a possible type I abnormality (terminal ileal resection or disease, previous pelvic radiotherapy), 20 of 74 with a possible type II abnormality (idiopathic diarrhoea), 32 of 45 with a possible type III abnormality (post-cholecystectomy, post-vagotomy), and 9 of 19 with diarrhoea associated with diabetes. Patients with severe bile acid malabsorption demonstrated a good response to cholestyramine whereas the response in patients with a mildly abnormal SeHCAT retention was variable. Bile acid malabsorption is an important cause of diarrhoea in patients presenting with unexplained chronic diarrhoea.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/pgmj.68.798.272

Type

Journal article

Journal

Postgrad Med J

Publication Date

04/1992

Volume

68

Pages

272 - 276

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Bile Acids and Salts, Cholecystectomy, Cholestyramine Resin, Crohn Disease, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Humans, Malabsorption Syndromes, Male, Middle Aged, Postoperative Complications, Retrospective Studies, Taurocholic Acid, Vagotomy