The effects of diabetes mellitus on gastric emptying: A prospective observational cohort study

Our goal was to evaluate the effect of diabetic severity and duration on preoperative residual gastric volume. Secondarily we compared ultrasonic estimates of residual gastric volume with actual volume determined by aspiration during endoscopy.

This was a prospective, observational cohort study that included adults with a history of diabetes mellitus and/or opioid use scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.

Endoscopy unit at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus from 2017 to 2019.

Adults scheduled for upper endoscopy with or without colonoscopy.

Residual gastric volumes were primarily determined by aspiration during endoscopy, and secondarily estimated with ultrasound. We evaluated the relationship between gastric residual volume and preoperative HBA1C concentration and duration of diabetes. Secondarily, we conducted an agreement analysis between the two gastric volume measurement techniques.

Among 145 enrolled patients, 131 were diabetic and 17 were chronic opioid users. Among 131 diabetic patients, the mean ± SD HbA1c was 7.2 ± 1.5% and the median (Q1, Q3) duration of diabetes was 8.5 (3, 15) years. Neither HbA1c nor duration of diabetes was associated with residual gastric volume. The adjusted mean ratio of residual gastric volume was 1.07 (98.3% CI: 0.89, 1.28; P = 0.38) for 1% increase in HbA1c concentration, and 0.84 (98.3% CI: 0.63, 1.14; P = 0.17) for each 10-year increase induration of diabetes. The median [Q1-Q3] absolute difference between gastric ultrasound measurement and endoscopic measurement was 25 [15, 65] ml.

In this prospective observational cohort study, neither the duration nor severity of diabetes influenced preoperative residual gastric volume. Gastric ultrasound can help identify patients who have excessive residual volumes despite overnight fasting.