The willingness of patients with gastroparesis to take risks with medications

Gastroparesis has a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life. Only one medication is approved for gastroparesis and it is associated with a significant risk of side effects.

To assess the willingness of patients to take risks associated with medications to treat gastroparesis symptoms.

We developed a questionnaire to assess medication risk-taking behaviour in patients identified as having documented gastroparesis (consistent symptoms, normal upper endoscopy, delayed gastric emptying). The survey assessed demographics, symptoms, medication use, anxiety, depression and impulsivity. A standard reference gamble evaluated respondents' willingness to take medication risks.

Two hundred seven questionnaires were mailed to patients, 103 questionnaires were completed. Seventy-six percent were female; the mean age was 48 years; average duration of gastroparesis symptoms was 10 years. Self-reported symptom severity was severe in 52% and moderate in 32%. Gastroparesis patients reported that they would accept a median 13.4% risk of sudden death to cure their symptoms using a hypothetical medication. Self-reported gastroparesis symptom severity and Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index scores correlated significantly with increased willingness to take risks associated with medications to treat gastroparesis, while anxiety was negatively associated.

Gastroparesis patients are willing to accept markedly high risks with a hypothetical medication to cure their symptoms. Patients with severe gastroparesis symptoms and higher Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index scores were more willing to take these risks. This study, the first to quantify gastroparesis patients' willingness to accept medication associated risks, should help clinicians through the complex maze of gastroparesis therapies and their associated risks and benefits.