[Gastric emptying in diabetics]

The authors evaluate gastric emptying in diabetic patients and follow up selected factors which may influence it.

In a group of 25 type 1 diabetics selected at random (12 women and 13 men), mean age 40.5 years +/- 11.6 SD (range 21 to 57 years) with a duration of diabetes of 17.8 +/- 7.9 years (minimum 4, maximum 35 years) with a mean value of glycosylated haemoglobin of 8.71% +/- 1.82 (minimum 7.2, maximum 12.2%) the authors assessed: the time of gastric emptying by scintigraphic follow up of the progress of solid food (rice labelled with 99mTc). 2. The correlation of gastric emptying and time factors (age, duration of diabetes) and metabolic factors (blood sugar level, glycosylated haemoglobin). 3. Relations of impaired gastric emptying and the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Only 9 patients had normal gastric emptying (36%). In 16 patients (64%) the time was pathologically altered, incl. 5 (20%) where the period was reduced, while in 11 (44%) the time was prolonged. After classifying the diabetics into three groups according to the period of gastric emptying in minutes (group I < 40, group II 40-90, group III > 90) by means of the statistical method ANOVA a significant correlation was found between the time of gastric emptying and age (p < 0.036) and the duration of diabetes (p < 0.0044). No significant relationship was found between metabolic parameters (blood glucose level, glycosylated haemoglobin) and the time of gastric emptying. The authors did not find any significant relationship between impaired gastric emptying and subjective symptoms.

Impaired gastric emptying is frequently encountered in diabetics. In the authors group there was only a correlation between the time of gastric emptying and age and the duration of diabetes. The authors did not find a relationship with the blood glucose level or glycosylated haemoglobin. Impaired gastric emptying was not correlated with subjective gastrointestinal symptoms.