Motility Patterns Associated with Symptoms of Delayed Gastric Emptying

Abstract

Purpose: Common complaints seen in the outpatient clinics include epigastric bloating, distention, nausea and early satiety. These symptoms are often present post-prandially and are suggestive of delayed gastric emptying or gastroparesis (GP). This study was designed to determine gastric motility patterns in these patients. Methods: 54 patients presenting with symptoms compatible with GP underwent necessary radiographic and endoscopic evaluations to exclude mechanical obstruction. All patients then had an electrogastrogram (EGG®, EZEM Corp.) to determine their gastric motility pattern. Motility was judged as tachygastria (TG: 3.75–10 CPM (*contractions per minute)); normal (2.5 – 3.75 CPM); mixed (both TG and BG); and bradygastria (BG: 1.0 – 2.5 CPM). Results: 34 patients had tachygastria; 6 were bradygastric; 8 had mixed patterns; and 6 were normal. Conclusions: Tachygastria is the most common motility disorder in this patient population (56%). Clinicians should be aware that prokinetics might worsen symptoms in these patients. 89% of patients had an abnormal motility pattern. Only 11% demonstrated normal motility.