Related Experiment Videos
Autonomic dysfunction and gastroparesis in cirrhosis
G Nicholas Verne1, Consuelo Soldevia-Pico, Michael E Robinson
1Divisions of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Florida, Malcom Randall VAMC, 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA. vernegn@medicine.ufl.edu
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|December 18, 2003
Summary
Autonomic dysfunction is common in liver cirrhosis patients and is linked to delayed gastric emptying, causing digestive issues like nausea and vomiting. This study highlights the connection between impaired autonomic function and gastroparesis in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
Background:
- Patients with liver cirrhosis often experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
- These symptoms are frequently attributed to abnormal GI motility.
- The underlying cause of these motility disorders, particularly the role of autonomic dysfunction, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between autonomic dysfunction and delayed gastric emptying in patients with liver cirrhosis.
- To determine if autonomic dysfunction contributes to the GI motility problems observed in cirrhosis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 20 cirrhosis patients with GI symptoms and 10 asymptomatic Hepatitis C (HCV) patients.
- Autonomic function assessed using 5 standardized cardiovascular tests, yielding a composite score (0-5).
- Gastric emptying evaluated using a solid phase study, with abnormal retention defined as >50% at 100 minutes.
Main Results:
- Cirrhotic patients exhibited significantly delayed gastric emptying (70.7% retention) compared to controls (26.1%, P < 0.001).
- Cirrhotic patients showed significantly higher composite autonomic scores (3.4) versus controls (1.2, P < 0.001).
- A positive correlation was observed between autonomic dysfunction and delayed gastric emptying.
Conclusions:
- Gastroparesis is prevalent in liver cirrhosis and likely responsible for postprandial GI symptoms.
- Autonomic dysfunction is positively correlated with motility disorders, including delayed gastric emptying, in cirrhotic patients.
- These findings underscore the importance of assessing autonomic function in managing GI symptoms in liver cirrhosis.