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Influence of age, gender, and menstrual cycle on the normal electrogastrogram
H P Parkman1, A D Harris, M A Miller
1Department of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Gastric myoelectric activity, measured by electrogastrography, differs significantly between sexes and changes with age and menstrual cycle phase. These factors are crucial for interpreting results in patients with dyspeptic symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
Background:
- Dyspeptic symptoms are common, particularly in females, and linked to gastric motility issues.
- While age, gender, and menstrual cycle influence gastric emptying, their impact on gastric myoelectric activity is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of age, gender, and menstrual cycle phase on gastric myoelectric activity.
Main Methods:
- Healthy participants (34 males, 49 females, aged 20-79) underwent electrogastrography (EGG).
- Recordings included 60-minute fasting and 60-minute postprandial periods.
- For premenopausal females, EGG was performed on days 1-3, 8-10, and 18-20 of their menstrual cycle.
Main Results:
- Dominant frequency (DF) and its power increased postprandially in all subjects.
- The postprandial increase in DF was blunted in females compared to males (5.3% vs. 13.0%).
- In premenopausal females, DF response varied across the menstrual cycle, with a significant increase on days 1-3 and 8-10 but not days 18-20.
- Older males (≥60 years) showed a reduced postprandial DF increase compared to younger males (<60 years).
Conclusions:
- Gastric myoelectric activity, assessed by EGG's dominant frequency, is demonstrably influenced by age, gender, and menstrual cycle phase.
- These demographic and cyclical factors must be considered when interpreting EGG findings in dyspeptic individuals.