[The 75-seleno-homocholic acid-taurine test (SeHCAT). A useful method for detecting the idiopathic malabsorption of bile salts in chronic functional diarrhea].

The 75-SeHCAT test has been used for identifying, within a group of patients with chronic functional diarrhea, a subgroup of cases with ileal bile acid malabsorption. Thirty-four subjects were studied: 10 healthy subjects and 24 patients with chronic functional diarrhea. Findings are expressed as percentage of basal abdominal radioactivity after 7 days. Normal values in our control subjects were: over 25% on day 4 and over 10% on day 7. Pathological results were found in 9 of 24 patients (37.5%) on day 4 and of 24 patients (41.7%) on day 7. A significant correlation was found between the percentages of retention on days 4 and 7 (p less than 0.001). In SeHCAT-positive patients cholestyramine administration led to clinical improvement. According to our experience, the SeHCAT test is a useful tool for the evaluation of bile acid malabsorption in the differential diagnosis of chronic functional diarrhea.