Clinical significance of rapid (accelerated) gastric emptying.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Singh
Amolak
A
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA. Singha@health.missouri.edu
Gull
Humara
H
Singh
Rubin J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004377:Dumping Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid