Symptoms from the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index and clinical factors associated with delayed gastric emptying in patients with suspected gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: The association between upper gastrointestinal symptoms and delayed gastric emptying (GE) shows conflicting results. This study aimed to assess whether the symptoms of the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) and/or the scores were associated with the result of GE tests and whether they could predict delayed GE. METHODS: Patients referred for suspected gastroparesis (GP) were included in a prospective database. Demographical data, medical history, and symptoms of the GCSI score were collected for each patient. A GE scintigraphy was then performed with a 4-hour recording. Delayed GE was defined as a retention rate ≥ 10% at 4 h. RESULTS: Among 243 patients included in this study, 110 patients (45%) had delayed GE. The mean age (49.9 vs. 41.3 years; p < 0.001) and weight loss (9.4 kg vs. 5.6 kg; p = 0.025) were significantly higher in patients with delayed GE. Patients with diabetes or a history of surgery had a higher prevalence of delayed GE (60% and 78%, respectively) than patients without comorbidity (17%; p < 0.001). The GCSI score was higher in patients with delayed GE (3.06 vs. 2.80; p = 0.045), but no threshold was clinically relevant to discriminate between patients with normal and delayed GE. Only vomiting severity was significantly higher in patients with delayed GE (2.19 vs. 1.57; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: GE testing should be considered when there are symptoms such as a higher weight loss, comorbidities (diabetes, and history of surgery associated with GP), and the presence of vomiting. Other symptoms and the GCSI score are not useful in predicting delayed GE.

Treatment of postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome with Fu's subcutaneous needling: A case report.

Postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome is a syndrome of significantly delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction after surgery. We presented a case of 69-year-old male patient who suffered from progressive nausea, vomiting and stomach fullness, with a bloating abdomen ten days after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Conventional treatments such as gastrointestinal decompression, gastric acid suppression therapy and intravenous nutritional support were administrated, but there were no obvious improvements in nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension of this patient. Fu's subcutaneous needling was performed once a day for three days, for a total of three treatments. After three days of Fu's subcutaneous needling intervention, he was free of symptoms of nausea, vomiting and stomach fullness. His gastric drainage volume reduced from 1000 ml per day to 10 ml per day. Upper gastrointestinal angiography showed normal peristalsis of remnant stomach. In this case report, Fu's subcutaneous needling showed a potential role of gastrointestinal motility enhancement and gastric drainage volume decrement, which provided a safe and convenient method in palliative care of postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome.

Gastroparesis: an under-recognised manifestation of systemic amyloidosis.

Gastrointestinal (GI) amyloidosis can be acquired or genetic and is commonly caused by chronic inflammatory illnesses (AA amyloidosis), haematological malignancies (AL amyloidosis) and end-stage renal disease (beta-2 microglobulin amyloidosis). The accumulation of these aberrant proteins disrupts the structures and functions of many organs; the least common of which is the GI tract. GI presentations depend on the type, location and amount of amyloid deposition. Symptoms can range from nausea and vomiting to fatal GI bleeds. Pathological examination of the involved tissue with characteristic green birefringence under polarised light is used to confirm the diagnosis. Patients should be considered for further evaluation to rule out additional organ involvement, notably cardiac and renal. We present a patient with amyloidosis-induced gastroparesis, an under-recognised presentation of systemic amyloidosis in the gastroenterology system.

A prediction nomogram for postoperative gastroparesis syndrome in right colon cancer: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the high-risk factors for postoperative gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) in right colon cancer and to build a prediction nomogram for personalized prediction of PGS. METHODS: Our study retrospectively analyzed 361 patients with right colon cancer who underwent right hemicolectomy at The First Hospital of Putian City in Fujian Province, China and who were hospitalized between January 2012 and July 2022. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the independent risk factors for PGS and to establish a nomogram model. Furthermore, discrimination, calibration, and clinical benefits were used to evaluate the model. RESULTS: The multivariate logistic regression revealed that dissection of the subpyloric lymph nodes (No. 206 lymph node) (OR 5.242, P = 0.005), preoperative fasting blood glucose level (OR 3.708, P = 0.024), preoperative albumin level (OR 3.503, P = 0.020), and total operative time (OR 4.648, P = 0.014) were independent risk factors for PGS. Based on the above four factors, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and C-index of the nomogram were 0.831. The prediction nomogram's calibration curve was closer to the ideal diagonal, and the Hosmer‒Lemeshow test indicated that the nomogram fit well (P = 0.399). Moreover, the decision curve analysis revealed that the model can present better clinical benefits when the threshold probability was between 1 and 28%, and the internal validation verified the dependability of the model (C-index = 0.948). CONCLUSIONS: A risk prediction nomogram based on perioperative factors provided the physician with a simple, visual, and efficient tool for the prediction and management of PGS in right colon cancer.

Gastroparesis: an evidence-based review for the bariatric and foregut surgeon.

Gastroparesis is a gastric motility disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying. It is a rare disease and difficult to treat effectively; management is a dilemma for gastroenterologists and surgeons alike. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate current diagnostic tools as well as treatment options. We describe key elements in the pathophysiology of the disease, in addition to current evidence on treatment alternatives, including nutritional considerations, medical and surgical options, and related outcomes.

Delayed gastric emptying after pancreatoduodenectomy: One complication, two different entities.

BACKGROUND: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common complication after pancreatoduodenectomy associated with a low complication burden but a prolonged hospital stay. The present study aimed to characterize DGE, with a particular focus on its subtypes and related predictors. METHODS: A 2-center retrospective analysis was performed including consecutive pancreatoduodenectomy over 5 years. Primary delayed gastric emptying (pDGE) and secondary delayed gastric emptying (sDGE) were defined according to the presence of concomitant causing factors. Predictors of DGE, pDGE and sDGE were assessed through logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of 1,170 patients considered, 188 developed delayed gastric emptying (16.1%). Most DGE (71.8%) were secondary. sDGE resolved later (P = .007), with hospital stay, duration of total parenteral nutrition, and of enteral nutrition being longer than for pDGE (all P < .005). Smoking status, total operative time, indication for surgery other than pancreatic cancer, estimated blood loss, and soft pancreatic texture were independent predictors of DGE. In the subgroup analysis of pDGE, smoking was the only independent predictor, whereas pylorus-preservation was a protective factor. Smoking, indication for surgery, estimated blood loss, soft gland texture, and main pancreatic duct diameter were independent predictors of sDGE. CONCLUSION: DGE after pancreatoduodenectomy consists of 2 different subtypes. The primary form resolves earlier, and its occurrence might be reduced by pylorus preservation. For the secondary form, clinicians should focus on preventing and treating other trigger complications. The diagnosis of the DGE subtype has critical therapeutic implications and paves the way for further systematic studies.

Epidemiology and Healthcare Utilization in Patients With Gastroparesis: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The authors performed a systematic review of epidemiologic data to understand the prevalence, incidence, etiologies, and hospitalizations related to gastroparesis (GP). METHODS: Studies of the epidemiology of GP published in all languages, years, and countries from 5 databases in January 2022 were studied using prespecified search strategies. RESULTS: Thirteen studies (data from 1994 to 2019) were included. All but one study (from the United Kingdom) were based in the United States. Prevalence of definite GP (symptoms plus delayed gastric emptying) ranged from 13.8 to 267.7 per 100,000 adults, and incidence was 1.9-6.3 per 100,000 person-years. The estimated 10-year cumulative incidence of GP in type 1 diabetes (DM) and type 2 DM was 5.2% and 1.0%, respectively. Across studies, GP was more common among female patients and those with DM. Rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for GP are increasing, ranging from 2- to 18-fold over approximately 2 decades. Mortality rates for patients with possible or definite GP were higher compared with the general population, with primary causes of death in GP being cardiovascular, respiratory failure, and malignancy. Multiple studies observed improved inpatient mortality over the mid-1990s to late 2000s. Limitations include the case identification in most studies (76.9%) used solely International Classification of Diseases codes or clinical record diagnoses; 2 studies (15.4%) used objective evaluation to diagnose GP. Only 4 studies (30.8%) used non-specialized community databases; the remaining 9 studies used inpatient, emergency department, or disease-specific databases. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of high-quality, demographically diverse, and population-based studies to accurately describe the epidemiology of GP. Future studies with valid gastric emptying measurement are needed to better characterize the epidemiology and natural history of GP.

[Progress in diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis after colon cancer surgery].

At present, comprehensive treatment dominated by surgical procedures is an important measure for colon cancer to obtain the chance of cure. Surgical intervention, while removing the tumor, carries the risk of postoperative gastroparesis (PG) . Because of the low incidence rate and insignificant early clinical symptoms, early stage PG is often overlooked clinically. However, PG can increase the risk of malnutrition, delay postoperative antitumor treatment, and increase the risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis. This review focuses on the mechanisms, clinical risk factors, preventive measures, and advances in treatment of PG due to colon cancer. Aim to increase the clinician's adequate attention to PG in colon cancer and from a surgical point to reduce the risk of gastroparesis in colon cancer by optimizing the surgical strategy.

Antroduodenal motility recording identifies characteristic patterns in gastroparesis related to underlying etiology.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis (GP) is a gastrointestinal disorder associated with significant morbidity and healthcare costs. GP patients form a heterogeneous population with diverse etiology, and treatment is often challenging due to a poorly understood underlying pathophysiology. The aim of the present study was to assess antroduodenal motility patterns among the different GP etiologies. METHODS: We reviewed antroduodenal manometry (ADM) recordings of patients with confirmed GP between 2009 and 2019. ADM measurements were evaluated for fed period duration, number of phase III contractions and migrating motor complexes (MMCs), motility index (MI), and presence of neuropathic patterns. KEY RESULTS: A total of 167 GP patients (142 women, median age 45 [31-57]) were included. The following etiologies were identified: idiopathic n = 101; post-surgery n = 36; and diabetes n = 30. Fed period duration was significantly longer in idiopathic (p < 0.01) and diabetic GP patients (p < 0.05) compared with post-surgery GP patients. Furthermore, the number and duration of phase III contractions and the number of MMCs were significantly lower in idiopathic and diabetic patients compared with post-surgery GP patients (p < 0.01). Likewise, absence of MMCs during 6-h recording was more often observed in idiopathic and diabetes GP patients compared with post-surgery GP patients (resp. p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: Antroduodenal motility patterns are different among GP etiologies. A dysmotility spectrum was identified with different patterns ranging from post-surgery GP to idiopathic and diabetic GP.

Reporte de un caso de tratamiento de gastroparesia pediátrica con prucaloprida: una terapia novedosa / A case report of prucalopride treatment in pediatric gastroparesis: a novel therapy

La prucaloprida acelera el vaciamiento gástrico en adultos con gastroparesia. No existen estudios con este medicamento en niños con gastroparesia. Se presenta un niño de 8 años que consultó por síntomas posprandiales de un mes de duración, con diagnóstico de gastroparesia por gammagrafía de vaciamiento gástrico. No mejoró con metoclopramida, domperidona, eritromicina y esomeprazol. Recibió prucaloprida durante dos períodos (durante 178 y 376 días) a dosis de 0,03-0,04 mg/kg/día. Presentó mejoría en el seguimiento con el índice cardinal de síntomas de gastroparesia y gammagrafías de vaciamiento gástrico. Por la buena respuesta, la prucaloprida podría ser una opción terapéutica en la gastroparesia pediátrica.

Prucalopride has been used in adults with gastroparesis, accelerating gastric emptying. There are no studies with this drug in gastroparetic children. An 8-year-old boy is presented who consulted for a month of postprandial symptoms, with a diagnosis of gastroparesis by gastric emptying scintigraphy. He did not improve with metoclopramide, domperidone, erythromycin, and esomeprazole. He received prucalopride for two periods (for 178 and 376 days) at doses: 0.03 - 0.04 mg/kg/day, presenting improvement in the follow-up with the cardinal gastroparesis symptom index and gastric emptying scintigraphy. Due to the good response, prucalopride may be a therapeutic option in pediatric gastroparesis.

Gastric motility disorders and their endoscopic and surgical treatments other than bariatric surgery.

Gastroparesis is the most common gastric motility disorder. The cardinal symptoms are nausea, vomiting, gastric fullness, early satiety, or bloating, associated with slow gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Delayed gastric emptying is demonstrated by a gastric emptying scintigraphy or by a breath test. Gastroparesis can be idiopathic, post-operative, secondary to diabetes, iatrogenic, or post-infectious. Therapeutic care must be multidisciplinary including nutritional, medical, endoscopic and surgical modes. The complications of delayed gastric emptying must be sought and addressed, particularly malnutrition, in order to identify and correct vitamin deficiencies and fluid and electrolyte disturbances. An etiology should be identified and treated whenever possible. Improvement in symptoms can be treated by dietary regimes and pharmaceutical treatments, including prokinetics. If these are not effective, specialized endoscopic approaches such as endoscopic or surgical pyloromyotomy aim at relaxing the pyloric sphincter, while the implantation of an electrical stimulator of gastric muscle should be discussed in specialized centers.

Delayed gastric emptying as an independent predictor of mortality in gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: Whether gastroparesis is associated with a shortened life expectancy remains uncertain as no systematic study has evaluated the impact of gastroparesis on mortality, based on gastric emptying (GE) tests. AIM: This study aimed to assess whether delayed GE was predictive of mortality. METHODS: GE was measured using a 13C-octanoic acid breath test in 1563 consecutive patients. Delayed GE at baseline defined the gastroparesis group. Patients were followed up for a mean of 8.9 years, yielding 13 466 patients per year. Mortality was assessed using the French CepiDc database with data from local civil registries. The cause of death was determined from medical records. Mortality rates were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and hazard ratio (HR) was calculated using the Cox regression model. RESULTS: Age and symptoms severity were not different among patients with normal GE (n = 1179) and with delayed GE (n = 384) while diabetes mellitus was more frequent in the gastroparesis group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed increased mortality in the gastroparesis group compared to patients with normal GE. Cox regression model identified delayed GE as independently associated with increased mortality (HR = 1.63[1.09-2.42]; P = 0.02). Other independent factors associated with increased mortality included age, male sex, and diabetes. No difference was observed between groups for the cause of death, with cancer and cardiovascular disease being the leading causes. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that gastroparesis, diagnosed on GE tests, was associated with increased mortality, independently of age, sex, BMI or diabetes status (NCT04918329).

Delayed Gastric Emptying After Multivisceral Resection for Retroperitoneal Sarcoma.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common complication in surgery, but incidence and relevance following multivisceral resection are unknown. METHODS: Data from 100 consecutive patients treated for primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) were analyzed from our institutional prospectively maintained database from January 2019 to April 2020. DGE severity was graded according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery and classified as primary or secondary to other complications. The primary outcome was incidence and grade of clinically relevant DGE (grades B-C). Secondary outcomes were correlation with patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics, and non-DGE morbidity [Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ 3]. RESULTS: Forty-two patients developed DGE and 28 had clinically relevant DGE. DGE was primary in 10 patients and secondary in 18 patients; the most common associated complications were: infections (11/18, 61.1%), pancreatic leak (7/18, 38.9%), bleeding (6/18, 33.3%), and bowel leak (6/18, 33.3%). DGE was related to longer length of hospital stay (P < 0.001), ICU admission (P = 0.004), ICU length of stay (P = 0.001), postoperative complications (CD [Formula: see text] 3 in 14/28 in DGE patients vs 11/72 in no-DGE; P = 0.04), and re-operation (P = 0.03). With multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for DGE were patient comorbidities (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.1; P = 0.04) and tumor size (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.0-1.1; P = 0.02). DISCUSSION: Following multivisceral resection, DGE is a clinically relevant event that can be caused by an underlying complication. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of both DGE and any underlying complications led to full recovery in all cases.

Safe Use of Erythromycin For Refractory Gastroparesis After Small Bowel Transplantation.

Current therapeutic options with prokinetic agents for posttransplant gastroparesis are limited. Erythromycin is associated with adverse reactions, including corrected QT interval prolongation and cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme inhibition. The use of erythromycin has been avoided in patients undergoing treatment with cyclosporine or tacrolimus because of significant fluctuations in therapeutic immunosuppression levels. We report herein the successful use of erythromycin after visceral transplant to treat delayed gastric emptying. Two patients were managed with oral erythromycin (initial dose of 750 mg/d divided into 3 doses) for gastroparesis after visceral transplant. Patient 1 was a woman aged 42 years with a history of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome who underwent isolated small bowel transplant with dual (gastric and duodenal) proximal allograft anastomosis. Posttransplant gastroparesis was initially managed with oral metoclopramide. The patient also required high doses of tacrolimus (36 mg/d) to maintain adequate immunosuppression levels. The decision was made to change metoclopramide to erythromycin, which significantly decreased the daily tacrolimus dose requirement (from 36 to 9 mg/d), with resolution of nausea and intermittent bloating symptoms. Patient 2 was a woman aged 35 years with ultra-short gut syndrome after extensive enterectomy due to intestinal volvulus who underwent uneventful combined intestinal and colon transplant. Conventional pharmacologic therapy for gastroparesis was initiated after surgery without success. Erythromycin was started 15 days posttransplant, with significant improvement in her symptoms, and discontinued 47 days post-transplant. To maintain therapeutic levels (8-10 mg/dL), daily tacrolimus dose was decreased 75.8% and 36.5% for patients 1 and 2, respectively. No significant side effects associated with erythromycin use were observed in either patient. Our findings here suggest that erythromycin may be safely used for gastroparesis after small bowel transplant. Close monitoring of immunosuppressive drug levels and dose adjustments of other medications affected by inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 are advised.

The PrEDICT-DGE score as a simple preoperative screening tool identifies patients at increased risk for delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Morbidity after Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has remained unchanged over the past decade. Delayed Gastric Emptying (DGE) is a major contributor with significant impact on healthcare-costs, quality of life and, for malignancies, even survival. We sought to develop a scoring system to aid in easy preoperative identification of patients at risk for DGE. METHODS: The ACS-NSQIP dataset from 2014 to 2018 was queried for patients undergoing PD with Whipple or pylorus preserving reconstruction. 15,154 patients were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for DGE, which were incorporated into a prediction model. Subgroup analysis of patients without SSI or fistula (primary DGE) was performed. RESULTS: We identified 9 factors independently associated with DGE to compile the PrEDICT-DGE score: Procedures (Concurrent adhesiolysis, feeding jejunostomy, vascular reconstruction with vein graft), Elderly (Age>70), Ductal stent (Lack of biliary stent), Invagination (Pancreatic reconstruction technique), COPD, Tobacco use, Disease, systemic (ASA>2), Gender (Male) and Erythrocytes (preoperative RBC-transfusion). PrEDICT-DGE scoring strongly correlated with actual DGE rates (R2 = 0.95) and predicted patients at low, intermediate, and high risk. Subgroup analysis of patients with primary DGE, retained all predictive factors, except for age>70 (p = 0.07) and ASA(p = 0.30). CONCLUSION: PrEDICT-DGE scoring accurately identifies patients at high risk for DGE and can help guide perioperative management.

Upper Gastrointestinal Functional and Motility Disorders in Children.

Children with disorders affecting the sensory and motor functions of the esophagus will present primarily with swallowing dysfunction, dysphagia, and chest pain, and those with disorders affecting the normal function of the stomach will present with symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Recent advances in the mechanisms of disease and technology have increased our understanding of gastrointestinal physiology and that knowledge has been applied to develop new diagnostic studies and therapeutic interventions. We present an overview of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of common primary and secondary functional and motility disorders affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract in children.