An association between gastric contents and gastric volume with gender and comorbidities: An observational study

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims: The data regarding fasting gastric contents and gastric volume in patients with comorbidity are lacking. The present study was conducted to determine an association between gender and comorbidities with gastric contents and gastric volume determined by ultrasonography in 8 h fasting patients. It was hypothesized that there is no association between gastric contents and gastric volume with gender and comorbidities. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional observational study was conducted in patients aged between 18 and 60 years posted for elective surgery. The patients were advised to overnight fast for a minimum of 8 h. Preoperative bedside ultrasonography was done in the right lateral decubitus position. According to the appearance on the ultrasound, the contents were identified as either empty, clear liquids, or solids. Antral cross-section area was measured and gastric volume was estimated. Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows, version 22, was used for analysis. Comparison of the distribution of categorical variables was done using the Chi-square test/Fisher’s exact test. Comparison of parametric and nonparametric continuous variables was done using unpaired t-test and Kruskal–Wallis test, respectively. Results: The mean gastric volume among males and females was 64.8 mL and 64.2 mL, respectively (P = 0.896). The median gastric volume and the median gastric volume in mL/kg were significantly higher in patients who had chronic kidney disease (4.53 mL/kg and 125.5 mL) as compared to other comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (1.88 mL/kg and 52.3 mL), hypertension (2.05 mL/kg and 53.9 mL), hypothyroidism (1.69 mL/kg and 48.9 mL), and obesity (2.18 mL/kg and 65.6 mL). The percentage of patients who had no gastric content was significantly higher in males as compared to females. There was no statistically significant difference in the type of gastric contents and comorbidities. Conclusions: There was an association between gastric volume and comorbidities, but there was no association between gastric contents and comorbidities. There was an association between gastric contents and gender, but there was an association between gastric volume and gender.