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Management of diabetic gastroparesis Full Text
Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology, 03/04/2011
Evidence Based Medicine
Clinical Article
Aljarallah BM – This article is an evidence–based overview of current management strategies for diabetic gastroparesis.
- Symptoms suggestive of gastroparesis occur in 5% to 12% of patients with diabetes.
- Gastroesophageal scintiscanning at 15–minute intervals for 4 hours after food intake is considered the gold standard for measuring gastric emptying. Retention of more than 10% of the meal after 4 hours is considered an abnormal result, for which a multidisciplinary management approach is required.
- Treatment should be tailored according to the severity of gastroparesis, and 25% to 68% of symptoms are controlled by prokinetic agents such as metoclopramide, domperidone, and erythromycin.
- Gastric electrical stimulation has been shown to improve symptoms, reduce hospitalizations, reduce the need for nutritional support, and improve quality of life.
