The description of the gastrointestinal transit of pellets assessed by gamma scintigraphy using statistical moments

Abstract

The gastrointestinal transit of multiple units (e.g., pellets), as determined by gamma scintigraphy, has been characterized by the application of statistical moments. Stomach emptying profiles can be described comprehensively by Mean Gastric Residence Time (MGRT) and Variance of Gastric Residence Time (VGRT) and caecum arrival data by Mean Caecum Arrival Time (MCAT) and Variance of Caecal Arrival Time (VCAT). This maximizes the data available, which is not the case when only described as 50% values. The statistical moments provide different information about the data observed compared to the classical descriptors, as there was only limited correlation between these two sets of parameters. Statistical moments therefore provide an important quantification of the process studied, and they can be used in any statistical test, where it is required to compare different experimental conditions.