Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
![Assessment of Gastric Emptying in Non-obese Diabetic Mice Using a [13C]-octanoic Acid Breath Test](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F50301.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Assessment of Gastric Emptying in Non-obese Diabetic Mice Using a [13C]-octanoic Acid Breath Test
Published on: March 23, 2013
Dyspeptic symptoms and gastric emptying in the irritable bowel syndrome
Vincenzo Stanghellini1, Cesare Tosetti, Giovanni Barbara
1Department of Internal Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Objectives:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and dyspepsia often overlap. Delayed gastric emptying has been reported in IBS patients, although conflicting results exist. Whether overlapping dyspepsia correlates with gastric emptying abnormalities in IBS patients has not been clarified. This study aimed to evaluate gastric emptying of solids and its relationship with dyspeptic symptoms in IBS patients.
Methods:
A total of 146 IBS outpatients seen in a referral center were evaluated for dyspeptic symptoms using a validated questionnaire. Gastric emptying of solids was evaluated scintigraphically in all patients and in 50 healthy controls.
Results:
Overlapping dyspepsia was diagnosed in 96 (66%) IBS patients. On average, gastric emptying rates were lower in IBS patients (mean +/- SEM, 33% +/- 1%/h) compared with controls (40% +/- 2%/h; p < 0.01). Specifically, gastric emptying was delayed in IBS patients with overlapping dyspepsia (31% +/- 1%/h; p < 0.01), whereas IBS patients without dyspeptic complaints showed gastric emptying rates (37% +/- 2%/h) that were similar to those of healthy controls (40% +/- 2%/h). Relevant postprandial fullness (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.8-12.5) and relevant nausea (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.2-9.3) were independently associated with delayed gastric emptying.
Conclusions:
IBS patients without overlapping dyspepsia have normal gastric emptying of solids. A significant association exists in IBS patients between delayed gastric emptying and overlapping relevant postprandial fullness and nausea.
Related Concept Videos
Gastric Emptying
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Pyloric Obstruction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

