Key variables associated with gastroparesis in diabetes patients with gastroparesis-like symptoms

Gastroparesis is a late complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by delayed gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The disorder substantially impacts the quality of life, glycemic stability, nutrition and absorption of orally administered drugs. Since symptom severity is a poor predictor of gastric emptying status, the clinician has little to aid them in whom to refer for gastric emptying testing. In this study, we aim to identify clinical characteristics associated with delayed gastric emptying in diabetes patients with gastroparesis-like symptoms.

Diabetes patients consecutively referred to Haukeland University Hospital for assessment of gastroparesis-like symptoms underwent gastric emptying scintigraphy, blood samples and questionnaires for assessing gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale), neuroticism (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Short Form), and symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale).

Results: Seventy-one patients were included in the study, of which 28 displayed delayed gastric emptying. Delayed gastric emptying was characterized by having type 1 diabetes, younger age, lower BMI, presence of other late complications including distal symmetric polyneuropathy and retinopathy, higher Hb1Ac levels and lower albumin and hemoglobin levels. Symptoms were not related to gastric emptying status.

We identified several clinical variables associated with delayed gastric emptying in diabetes patients with gastroparesis-like symptoms. These variables are commonly assessed during a medical consultation and may be used to aid the clinician in choosing who to refer for gastric emptying testing.