Faecal bile acids and the irritable colon syndrome.

Faecal bile acid excretion and rectosigmoid myoelectrical activity were measured on three separate occasions over a 12-month period in 21 patients with the irritable colon syndrome. The results were compared with those of a group of normal subjects. Deoxycholic acid excretion was statistically significantly lower in patients with the irritable colon syndrome. In addition, these patients had a persistently high incidence of 0.03-0.06 Hz (2-4 c/m) rectosigmoid slow-wave electrical activity. These abnormal values persisted throughout the period of the study.