[Acetaminophen absorption test for determination of diabetic gastroparesis and effects of erythromycin on gastric emptying].

The purpose of this study is to know the incidence of diabetic gastroparesis in diabetics and its relationship with diabetic neuropathy and to direct rational clinical treatment. Acetaminophen absorption test was performed for determination of gastric emptying function of liquid in 43 patients with diabetes mellitus (male 23, female 20, mean age 53.5 years). The patients were divided into two groups: diabetics with and without autonomic neuropathy. The change of gastric emptying time (GET) after intravenous administration of erythromycin (100 mg/h) was observed. The results showed that GET in diabetics was significantly prolonged. The incidence of abnormal gastric emptying function of liquid was 51.16%. GET in diabetics with neuropathy was significantly longer than that in those without neuropathy (42.83 +/- 13.80 min vs 26.00 +/- 11.42 min, P < 0.01). Its incidence was significantly increased in diabetic neuropathy and related to its severity. Delayed GET in diabetics was normalized after erythromycin administration (from 47.63 +/- 6.74 min to 20.53 +/- 7.43 min, P < 0.01). The results indicate that this test can be used as an objective indicator for diabetic gastric autonomic neuropathy and gastroparesis. Erythromycin accelerates gastric emptying.