O-BN08 Quality of Life 21 Years Following Gastric Pacing/ Gastric Electrical Stimulation for Gastroparesis – A real life data

Abstract

Abstract Background Gastroparesis is defined as delayed emptying of the stomach in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Gastroparesis symptoms ranging from nausea, vomiting, bloating and abdominal pain with significant impact on overall quality of life (QALY). Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) for gastroparesis has been used in clinical practice since 1998 and was initially licensed as a “humanitarian” treatment when all else had failed. In the last two decades, it has been increasingly used in the treatment of refractory gastroparesis. We have been performing GES for refractory Gastroparesis since 2000 and we present our data on symptoms, quality of life and resource utilization Methods A prospective consecutive cohort study at a single center from December 2000 to July 2021 has been conducted. Data on patient demographics (gender and age), comorbidities, aetiology, the method of surgery, pre and post hospital stay, pre and post-operative SF-36 questionnaire (QALY) and symptom score (Likert Score), adjunct intervention, feeding regimen, mortality and morbidity were collated and subjected to student t-test for parametric data, the Wilcoxon test for non-parametric data, and McNemar’s test for binomial data Results A total of 162 patients underwent GES. There were 118 females. The median age was 36.5 years (range 6-80). Ninety-two patients were Idiopathic, 63 were Diabetic and 7 Post-Surgical. Overall QALY improved from a mean of 190/500 to 415/500(p = <0.001) with significant improvement in nausea (p = <0.001), abdominal pain (p = 0.005) and bloating (p = 0.001) severity score prior and following surgery. Number of hospital admissions (median) reduced post GES insertion from six to zero per year (p = 0.002). The median length of stay was 3 days (range 1-45) and follow up was up to 129 months (6-252). There was no mortality from the procedure. Conclusions This is one of a few long-term studies looking at the outcome following GES for Gastroparesis. Our data shows that GES is a safe procedure with very little morbidity and no mortality. It improves symptoms and quality of life. It also reduces the health care utilization for these patients. The effects of GES are also very durable and hence should be considered as a mainstream treatment for patients with refractory gastroparesis.