Clinical significance of rapid (accelerated) gastric emptying.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the significance and frequency of rapid gastric emptying (RGE) in clinical practice and to examine its relationship to age, gender, and presenting symptoms.

METHODS

The review included 750 patients who underwent scintigraphic gastric emptying studies (GES) within the past 11 years. In 80 patients with RGE, the mean gastric emptying time (GET) in female and male patients was compared with study gender differences. Similarly, the mean GET in young and old patients was compared with study age differences. The presenting symptoms and conditions indicating GES were noted.

RESULTS

RGE was found in 80 of 750 study patients (10.7%). RGE was equally common in both sexes. Younger patients (mean age, 34.3 +/- 9.5 years) and older patients (mean age, 67.3 +/- 11.6 years) had similar mean GETs. Most patients with RGE presented with symptoms that mimicked gastroparesis.

CONCLUSIONS

RGE has no relationship to age or gender. RGE may be representative of early dumping syndrome in most patients. GES help make a clear distinction between early dumping syndrome and gastroparesis, which can present with similar symptoms.