Colonic propulsion in diverticular disease, idiopathic constipation, and the irritable colon syndrome.

Colonic intraluminal pressure and intestinal transit were examined in diverticular disease, idiopathic constipation, and the irritable colon syndrome. Small bowel transit was normal. Total gastrointestinal transit was prolonged. Colonic transit showed an equal delay in all segments, expedited by bran. In constipation, transit was the more prolonged, but in the irritable colon syndrome, pressure was more affected. Diverticular disease patients showed features resembling each of these two groups. Pressure and transit showed an inverse relationship maintained after bran.