A comparative study of esophageal and anorectal motility in myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy may be associated with visceral abnormalities involving smooth muscle, the pathogenesis of which is not clear. Our aim was to evaluate the involvement of smooth and striated muscles at both ends of the gastrointestinal tract. Esophageal and anorectal manometric studies were performed in 13 patients and healthy controls. There was a correlation between: (1) the resting pressure in the upper esophageal sphincter and in the lower anal canal, (2) the amplitude and the coordination of contraction primary waves in the proximal and in the distal esophagus, and (3) the resting pressure in the higher anal canal and in the lower one. These results suggest that both ends of the gastrointestinal tract are disturbed in a similar fashion, both quantitatively and qualitatively and that there is a relationship between smooth and striated visceral muscle involvement in myotonic dystrophy.

Colonic transit in soccer players.

To evaluate the effects of exercise on colonic function, we measured total and segmental transit times in 11 male soccer players and nine male radiology student technicians. Diet was kept constant in all subjects, who maintained their normal activities. For the soccer players, normal activities included 15 h of training and one match each week. Transit times were measured with radioopaque markers, using the multiple-ingestion, single-radiograph technique. No overall difference in large bowel transit was observed between the two groups. Right colon transit was considerably slower in the soccer players, whereas left colon and rectal transit were slightly accelerated. We conclude that an intensive sport activity only modifies regional differences in large bowel function. This may be of importance in extreme conditions, such as those experienced by marathon runners. Data should be obtained before prescribing exercise to treat constipation.