Identification of heterogenous motility patterns of the stomach in duodenal ulcer disease.

This study aims to compare gastric emptying of solid meals in two different duodenal ulcer populations and their respective control groups. The same authors, utilized the same methods, but on different occasions. Four study groups were composed as follow: DU I--15 patients, CI--12 patients, DU II--16 patients, C II--15 patients. All individuals underwent high gastrointestinal tract evaluation. Endoscopy was normal in all subjects of the control groups. The ulcers were active but without reducing of the duodenal lumen. Gastric emptying was studied with the use of 30 grams of Tc tagged chicken liver. Measurements of Gastric emptying were taken by a gamma camera Ohio-series ON-150) with 15 minutes intervals during 120 minutes. Emptying rates expressed as percent of the test meal remaining in the stomach were submitted to KRUSKAL-WALLIS STATISTICAL analysis at each time and were identical in the groups, DU I, C I and C II. Emptying rates were significantly lower in the DU II group compared to the others. This study permits us to conclude that the gastric emptying in duodenal ulceration can be normal or delayed for reasons not clearly understood.