Clinical Predictors of Rapid Gastric Emptying in Patients Presenting with Dyspeptic Symptoms

Background: Rapid gastric emptying (RGE) is defined as less than 30% retention at 1 h of solid meal ingestion. It is unclear whether RGE represents a separated clinical entity or part of the functional dyspepsia spectrum.

Aims: To determine clinical predictors of RGE in patients presenting with dyspeptic symptoms.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients who underwent solid Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy to evaluate dyspeptic symptoms from January 2011 to September 2012. Patients with delayed gastric emptying (> 10% gastric retention at 4 h) or prior gastric surgery were excluded. Patients with RGE were compared to those with normal gastric emptying (NGE) in a patient ratio of 1:3. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbidities, surgeries, endoscopy findings, medications, HbA1c, and TSH were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: A total of 808 patients were included, 202 patients with RGE and 606 patients with NGE. Mean gastric retention at 1 h was 18% [12.0, 24.0] and 65% [52.0, 76.0], respectively. Patient with RGE were more likely to present with nausea/vomiting (OR 2.4, p < 0.001), weight loss (OR 1.7, p = 0.008), and autonomic symptoms (OR 2.8, p = 0.022). Identified clinical predictors of RGE were older age (OR 1.08 [1.01, 1.1], p = 0.018), male gender (OR 2.0 [1.4, 2.9], p ≤ <0.001), higher BMI (OR 1.03 [1.00, 1.05], p = 0.018), diabetes (OR 1.8 [1.2, 2.7], p = 0.05), and fundoplication (OR 4.3 [2.4, 7.7], p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion: RGE represents a distinct population among patients presenting with dyspepsia in whom fundoplication, diabetes, and male gender were the strongest clinical predictors. RGE was significantly associated with nausea/vomiting, weight loss, and autonomic symptoms.