title: The Burdens, Concerns, and Quality of Life of Patients with Gastroparesis.
abstract: The impact of gastroparesis on patients from the patient's viewpoint is needed to better address treatment priorities. The aims of this study were to: (1) Delineate burdens and concerns of patients with gastroparesis; (2) investigate specific symptoms contributing to impaired quality of life (QOL) in gastroparesis.
  
  
  
  The International Foundation for Functional GI Disorders gastroparesis survey questionnaire was developed to describe patients' viewpoint about their experience with gastroparesis and included Patient Assessment of Upper GI Symptoms (PAGI-SYM) and SF-36 QOL survey.
  
  
  
  A total of 1423 adult patients with gastroparesis completed the survey. Average duration of gastroparesis symptoms was 9.3 years with time from onset to diagnosis 5.0 years. Patients felt that they receive good information regarding treatment options from physicians, the Internet, and Facebook. Patients rated their satisfaction with available treatment for their gastroparesis as dissatisfied (33%), somewhat dissatisfied (27%), neutral (14%), somewhat satisfied (15%), and satisfied (4%). Patients felt that gastroparesis symptoms that are most important to improve with treatment are nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Overall, there was a decreased quality of life by SF-36. Physical health QOL score was negatively correlated with symptoms including nausea (r = -0.37), upper abdominal pain (r = -0.37), and early satiety (r = -0.37).
  
  
  
  This large series of patients with gastroparesis describes their burdens, concerns, and QOL. Nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and abdominal pain are important symptoms for treatment. Many patients are not satisfied with current treatments, wanting specific treatments for their disorder. Interestingly, a large number of patients find out about treatments, not only from their physician, but also using the Internet including social media.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Temple Clinical Research Institute (TCRI), Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Daohai
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Temple Clinical Research Institute (TCRI), Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Frederick V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Ramsey
authors.affiliation: International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.affiliation: International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.affiliation: International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneck
authors.affiliation: International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Tegan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gaetano
authors.affiliation: Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Parkinson Pavilion, 8th floor, 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA. henry.parkman@temple.edu.
authors.forename: Henry P
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4904-4891
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Parkman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology; D018589:Gastroparesis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diabetic gastroparesis; Gastric emptying; Gastroparesis; Quality of life