[Gastric motility disorders in diabetes. I. Pathophysiology, symptomatology and methods for additional testing]

The application of novel investigative techniques has contributed to an increased understanding of the prevalence, pathophysiology and treatment of disordered gastric motility in diabetes. Abnormal gastric emptying, particularly delayed emptying, occurs frequently and the rate of gastric emptying is influenced by the blood glucose concentration. Disordered gastric motility is likely to be responsible for most upper gastrointestinal symptoms in diabetic patients, but the mechanisms by which abnormal motility leads to symptoms are poorly understood. It appears probable that abnormal gastric emptying contributes to poor glycaemic control.