Emergency Department Burden of Gastroparesis in the United States, 2006 to 2013

Gastric Alimetry® Testing and Healthcare Economic Analysis in Nausea and Vomiting Syndromes

BACKGROUND

Chronic nausea and vomiting syndromes (CNVS), gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia (FD) are complex disorders. Body Surface Gastric Mapping (BSGM), a new test of gastric function, using Gastric Alimetry® (Alimetry, New Zealand) may be useful for de-escalating healthcare utilisation. This study aimed to define healthcare costs and estimate health economic impacts of implementing this test in patients with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms.

METHODS

Consecutive patients at a tertiary referral centre evaluated with Gastric Alimetry were included. Frequency and cost data relating to medical investigations, hospital and outpatient presentations were evaluated. Costs of healthcare utilisation were calculated, and the potential cost savings of implementing Gastric Alimetry within a diagnostic decision-tree model were estimated.

RESULTS

Overall, 31 consecutive patients (mean age 36.1 years; 83.9% female; predominant symptoms: nausea [83.9%], pain [61.3%], vomiting [67.7%] and bloating [35.5%]) completed Gastric Alimetry testing. Repeat gastroscopy and abdominal CT rates were 29% (8/28) and 85% (11/13), respectively. Gastric Alimetry testing identified spectral abnormalities in 45.2% of patients, and symptom profiling classified a further 29.1% of patients. Median annualised cost difference after test introduction was NZ$-12,032. Estimated reductions in investigation-related costs when incorporating Gastric Alimetry into the diagnostic workflow model were approximately NZ$1,300 per patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare utilisation and confirmatory testing rates remain high in nausea and vomiting syndromes. This study presents real-world data, together with a decision-tree analysis, showing Gastric Alimetry can streamline clinical care pathways, resulting in reduced healthcare utilisation and cost.

Difference in Cyclic Versus Non-cyclic Symptom Patterns in Patients with the Symptoms of Gastroparesis Undergoing Bioelectric Therapy

INTRODUCTION

Patients with gastroparesis (Gp) have symptoms with or without a cyclic pattern. This retrospective study evaluates differences in cyclic vs. non-cyclic symptoms of Gp by analyzing mucosal electrogastrogram (mEG), familial dysautonomias, and response to gastric stimulation.

METHODS

37 patients with drug refractory Gp, 7 male and 30 female, with a mean age of 41.4 years, were studied. 18 had diabetes mellitus, 25 had cyclic (Cyc), and 12 had a non-cyclic (NoCyc) pattern of symptoms. Patients underwent temporary mucosal gastric stimulator (tGES) placement, which was done as a trial before permanent stimulator (GES) placement. Electrogastrogram (EGG) by mucosal (mEG) measures, including frequency, amplitude, and frequency-amplitude ratio (FAR), were pre- and post-tGES. Patients' history of personal and familial dysautonomias, quality of life, and symptom scores were recorded. Baseline vs. follow-ups were compared by paired t tests and McNemar's tests. T tests contrasted symptom scores, gastric emptying tests (GET), and mEG measures, while chi-squared tests deciphered comorbidity differences between two groups and univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

There were significantly more patients with diabetes in the Cyc group vs. the NoCyc group. Using a 1 point in symptom outcome, 18 patients did not improve and 19 did improve with tGES. Using univariable analysis, with the cyclic pattern as a predictor, patients exhibiting a cyclic pattern had an odds ratio of 0.22 (95% CI 0.05-0.81, p = 0.054) for achieving an improvement of at least one unit in vomiting at follow-up from baseline. The mucosal electrogastrogram frequency to amplitude ratio (FAR) for the "not Improved" group was 19.6 [3.5, 33.6], whereas, for the "Improved" group, it was 54.3 [25.6, 72.5] with a p-value of 0.049. For multivariate logistic regression, accounting for sex and age squared, patients exhibiting a cyclic pattern had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.16 (95% CI 0.03-0.81, p = 0.027) for achieving an improvement of at least one unit in vomiting at follow-up from baseline. The two groups had no significant differences in the personal or inherited history of investigated familial patterns.

CONCLUSION

This study shows differences in Gp patients with Cyc vs. NoCyc symptoms in several areas. Larger studies are needed to elicit further differences between the two groups about cycles of symptoms, EGG, findings, familial patterns, and response to mucosal GES.

Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy for management of refractory gastroparesis in patients with gastric neurostimulator devices: a multicenter retrospective case control study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gastric neurostimulation (GNS) and gastric peroral myotomy (G-POEM), therapies for refractory gastroparesis, are associated with suboptimal outcomes. We studied the role of G-POEM as a salvage therapy in patients with refractory symptoms after GNS implantation.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective, matched case-control study. Consecutive patients with a GNS device and who underwent G-POEM as a salvage therapy for clinical failure (cases) and patients without GNS implantation and who underwent G-POEM for refractory gastroparesis (control) between October 2018 and August 2021 were included. The primary outcome was clinical success after G-POEM.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients (mean age 45.7 ± 14.7 years; 88 female subjects [72%]) underwent G-POEM therapy during the study: 41 cases and 82 controls. Clinical success was achieved in 66% in the case group and 65% in the control group (P = .311), during a median total clinical follow-up time of 11.8 (interquartile range, 2.4-6.3) months. In the case group, the mean Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index score decreased from 2.8 ± 1.8 to 1.5 ± 1.9 (P = .024), and gastric retention at 4 hours improved from 45% ± 25.8% to 16.6% ± 13.1% (P = .06). The mean delta improvement in the subscales of nausea/vomiting (1.3 ± .6 vs .9 ± 1.1, P = .044) and bloating (1.6 ± 1.3 vs 1.2 ± 1.4, P = .041) were significantly higher in cases than in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with refractory symptoms after GNS, G-POEM can be a reasonable salvage therapy to provide further symptomatic relief with evidence of a potential additive effect of both G-POEM and GNS.

Epidemiology and Healthcare Utilization in Patients With Gastroparesis: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The authors performed a systematic review of epidemiologic data to understand the prevalence, incidence, etiologies, and hospitalizations related to gastroparesis (GP).

METHODS

Studies of the epidemiology of GP published in all languages, years, and countries from 5 databases in January 2022 were studied using prespecified search strategies.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies (data from 1994 to 2019) were included. All but one study (from the United Kingdom) were based in the United States. Prevalence of definite GP (symptoms plus delayed gastric emptying) ranged from 13.8 to 267.7 per 100,000 adults, and incidence was 1.9-6.3 per 100,000 person-years. The estimated 10-year cumulative incidence of GP in type 1 diabetes (DM) and type 2 DM was 5.2% and 1.0%, respectively. Across studies, GP was more common among female patients and those with DM. Rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for GP are increasing, ranging from 2- to 18-fold over approximately 2 decades. Mortality rates for patients with possible or definite GP were higher compared with the general population, with primary causes of death in GP being cardiovascular, respiratory failure, and malignancy. Multiple studies observed improved inpatient mortality over the mid-1990s to late 2000s. Limitations include the case identification in most studies (76.9%) used solely International Classification of Diseases codes or clinical record diagnoses; 2 studies (15.4%) used objective evaluation to diagnose GP. Only 4 studies (30.8%) used non-specialized community databases; the remaining 9 studies used inpatient, emergency department, or disease-specific databases.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a paucity of high-quality, demographically diverse, and population-based studies to accurately describe the epidemiology of GP. Future studies with valid gastric emptying measurement are needed to better characterize the epidemiology and natural history of GP.

Gastroparesis: Myths, Misconceptions, and Management

Gastroparesis (GP), a historically vexing disorder characterized by symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, early satiety, and/or bloating, in the setting of an objective delay in gastric emptying, is often difficult to treat and carries a tremendous burden on the quality of patients' lives, as well as the healthcare system in general. Though the etiology of GP has been fairly well defined, much work has been done recently to better understand the pathophysiology of GP, as well as to identify novel effective and safe treatment options. As our understanding of GP has evolved, many myths and misconceptions still abound in this rapidly changing field. The goal of this review is to identify myths and misconceptions regarding the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of GP, in the context of the latest research findings which have shaped our current understanding of GP. Recognition and dispelling of such myths and misconceptions is critical to moving the field forward and ultimately advancing the clinical management of what will hopefully become a better understood and more manageable disorder in the future.

Health-care resource use and costs associated with diabetic and idiopathic gastroparesis: A claims analysis of the first 3 years following the diagnosis of gastroparesis

BACKGROUND

Due to limited treatment options, many patients with diabetic gastroparesis (DG) or idiopathic gastroparesis (IG) experience inadequate symptom control resulting in increased health-care resource utilization (HRU) and associated costs. We compared all-cause HRU and health-care costs over the 3 years after patients' first gastroparesis diagnosis with that of matched controls without gastroparesis.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed adults with DG or IG were identified in Optum's de-identified Clinformatics^® Data Mart Database (Q1-2007 to Q1-2019). Patients with DG/IG were matched 1:1 to controls using a mixed approach of exact matching and propensity score matching. The index date was the first gastroparesis diagnosis for cases or randomly selected for controls. All-cause HRU and direct health-care costs per person-year (PPY) were compared between DG/IG cases and controls in Years 1-3 post-index.

KEY RESULTS

Demographics and comorbidities were balanced between patients with gastroparesis (n = 18,015 [DG]; n = 14,305 [IG]) and controls. In each of the Years 1-3 post-index, patients with DG or IG had significantly higher annual HRU and costs versus controls (mean total cost differences PPY: DG Year 1 $34,885, Year 2 $28,071, Year 3 $25,606; IG Year 1 $23,176, Year 2 $16,627, Year 3 $14,396) (all p < 0.05). Across all 3 years, DG/IG cohorts had approximately twice the costs of controls. HRU and costs were highest in Year 1 post-index for both DG and IG.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The economic burden of gastroparesis remains high several years after diagnosis, emphasizing the need for chronic treatment to effectively manage symptoms and consequently reduce the burden of this disorder.

Demographics of Gastroparesis Hospitalizations Through the Age Spectrum Using National Inpatient Databases: Children Compared With Adults

GOAL

The goal of this study was to characterize the etiology and demographics of hospitalized patients with gastroparesis (Gp) across different age groups.

BACKGROUND

Gp is a chronic condition associated with increasing hospitalizations and costs. The gender and etiology distributions of Gp throughout the age spectrum are unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) were used to identify patients using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes for Gp as a primary diagnosis or as secondary diagnosis with the first diagnosis a GI-related symptom.

RESULTS

There were a total of 15,790 admissions (75.6% female, age: 46.2±18.0 y). After age 6, female admissions percentage increased: ages 2 to 5: 45.0%, ages 6 to 12: 62.8%, ages 13 to 20: 76.7% ( P <0.001), with a distinct increase at age 12. Diabetic gastroparesis (DG) was seen in 3995 (25.3%) of all Gp admissions but in only 1.1% of children under the age of 20. Overall, 68% of DG admissions were female, but a higher percentage of DG was seen among male admissions for Gp compared with female admissions for Gp between ages 21 and 64 (38.3% vs. 23%, P <0.001). The most common races were white (63.2%), African American (20.6%), and Hispanic (8.7%). DG was more often present in Native American (61.9%), Hispanic (39.1%), and African American (38.2%) admissions than in white patients (17.8%; P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study using large inpatient databases shows that the gender, race, and etiology of Gp admissions is age-dependent. The female predominance of Gp admissions is more prominent from the second decade of life. DG, although uncommon in children, is seen more often in nonwhite admissions.

Poor Gastric Emptying in Patients with Paraesophageal Hernias: Pyloroplasty, Per-Oral Pyloromyotomy, BoTox, or Wait and See?

Gastric emptying delay may be caused with both functional and anatomic derangements. Gastroparesis is suspected in patients presenting with certain foregut symptoms without anatomic obstruction. Data are still emerging regarding the best treatment of this condition. In cases where large paraesophageal hernias alter the upper gastrointestinal anatomy, it is difficult to know if gastroparesis also exists. Management of hiatal hernias is also still evolving, with various strategies to reduce recurrence being actively investigated. In this article, we present a systematic review of the existing literature around the management of gastroparesis and the management of paraesophageal hernias when they occur separately. In addition, since there are limited data to guide diagnosis and management of these conditions when they are suspected to coexist, we provide a rational strategy based on our own experience in patients with paraesophageal hernias who have symptoms or studies that raise suspicion for a coexisting functional disorder.

Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) for refractory gastroparesis: results from an international prospective trial

OBJECTIVE

Although gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) is considered a promising technique for the management of refractory gastroparesis, high-quality evidence is limited. We prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of G-POEM in unselected patients with refractory gastroparesis.

DESIGN

In five tertiary centres, patients with symptomatic gastroparesis refractory to standard medical therapy and confirmed by impaired gastric emptying were included. The primary endpoint was clinical success, defined as at least one score decrease in Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) with ≥25% decrease in two subscales, at 12 months. GCSI Score and subscales, adverse events (AEs) and 36-Item Short Form questionnaire of quality of life were evaluated at baseline and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after G-POEM. Gastric emptying study was performed before and 3 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

Of 80 enrolled patients, 75 patients (94%) completed 12-month follow-up. Clinical success at 12 months was 56% (95% CI, 44.8 to 66.7). GCSI Score (including subscales) improved moderately after G-POEM (p<0.05). In a regression model, a baseline GCSI Score >2.6 (OR=3.23, p=0.04) and baseline gastric retention >20% at 4 hours (OR=3.65, p=0.03) were independent predictors of clinical success at 12 months, as was early response to G-POEM at 1 month after therapy (OR 8.75, p<0.001). Mild procedure-related AEs occurred in 5 (6%) patients.

CONCLUSION

G-POEM is a safe procedure, but showed only modest overall effectiveness in the treatment of refractory gastroparesis. Further studies are required to identify the best candidates for G-POEM; unselective use of this procedure should be discouraged.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry NCT02732821.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: one-year outcomes of gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy for refractory gastroparesis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have examined the efficacy of gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) for gastroparesis.

AIM

To evaluate the mid-term efficacy of G-POEM by meta-analysis of studies with a minimum 1 year of follow-up.

METHODS

We reviewed several databases from inception to 10 June 2021 to identify studies that evaluated the efficacy of G-POEM in refractory gastroparesis, and had at least 1 year of follow-up. Our outcomes of interest were clinical success at 1 year, adverse events, difference in mean pre- and 1 year post-procedure Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) score, and difference in mean pre- and post-procedure EndoFLIP measurements. We analysed data using a random-effects model and assessed heterogeneity by I2 statistic.

RESULTS

We included 10 studies comprising 482 patients. Pooled rates (95% CI) of clinical success at 1 year and adverse events were 61% (49%, 71%) and 8% (6%, 11%), respectively. Mean GCSI at 1 year post-procedure was significantly lower than pre-procedure; mean difference (MD) (95% CI) -1.4 (-1.9, -0.9). Mean post-procedure distensibility index was significantly higher than pre-procedure in the clinical success group at 40 and 50 mL volume distension; standardised mean difference (95% CI) 0.82 (0.07, 1.64) and 0.91 (0.32, 1.49), respectively. In the clinical failure group, there was no significant difference between mean pre- and post-procedure EndoFLIP measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

G-POEM is associated with modest clinical success at 1 year. Additional studies with longer follow-up are required to evaluate its longer-term efficacy.

Management of Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal motility disorder characterized by nausea, vomiting, early satiation, postprandial fullness, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. The diagnosis requires documented delay in gastric emptying with an optimal test such as scintigraphy or stable isotope gastric emptying breath test in the absence of mechanical obstruction. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of gastroparesis are multifactorial, including antroduodenal hypomotility, pylorospasm, impaired gastric accommodation, and visceral hypersensitivity. The etiologies of gastroparesis are broad, but the most common subtypes are idiopathic, diabetic, and postsurgical. Less frequent etiologies are neurodegenerative disorder (Parkinson disease), myopathies (scleroderma, amyloidosis), and neoplastic syndrome. Symptoms of gastroparesis can be refractory and challenging to manage, leading to reduced quality of life and significant health care expenditure. This article introduces the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and differential diagnoses of gastroparesis, followed by a focused discussion on its management, including nutritional support, prokinetic and antiemetic agents, and emerging interventions directed at the pylorus. Robust sham-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy. A multidisciplinary approach with individualized strategies based on characterization of the patho-physiology is deemed necessary to enhance clinical outcomes.

Diagnoses of Exclusion in the Workup of Abdominal Complaints

Abdominal pain is a common complaint in the emergency department, comprising 8.8% of all visits. Despite advances in medicine and imaging, 20% to 30% of patients still leave the department without a definitive diagnosis, whichhis can be both distressing for patients and unsatisfying for providers. Diagnoses of exclusion can be perilous, and their application should be carefully considered in order to not overlook more emergent complaints. However, a working knowledge of diagnoses of exclusion can guide therapeutics and specialty referrals that can ultimately provide answers and relief to a patient population often at odds with available information and expectations.

United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) consensus on gastroparesis

BACKGROUND

Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by epigastric symptoms and delayed gastric emptying (GE) rate in the absence of any mechanical obstruction. The condition is challenging in clinical practice by the lack of guidance concerning diagnosis and management of gastroparesis.

METHODS

A Delphi consensus was undertaken by 40 experts from 19 European countries who conducted a literature summary and voting process on 89 statements. Quality of evidence was evaluated using grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation criteria. Consensus (defined as ≥80% agreement) was reached for 25 statements.

RESULTS

The European consensus defined gastroparesis as the presence of symptoms associated with delayed GE in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Nausea and vomiting were identified as cardinal symptoms, with often coexisting postprandial distress syndrome symptoms of dyspepsia. The true epidemiology of gastroparesis is not known in detail, but diabetes, gastric surgery, certain neurological and connective tissue diseases, and the use of certain drugs recognized as risk factors. While the panel agreed that severely impaired gastric motor function is present in these patients, there was no consensus on underlying pathophysiology. The panel agreed that an upper endoscopy and a GE test are required for diagnosis. Only dietary therapy, dopamine-2 antagonists and 5-HT₄ receptor agonists were considered appropriate therapies, in addition to nutritional support in case of severe weight loss. No consensus was reached on the use of proton pump inhibitors, other classes of antiemetics or prokinetics, neuromodulators, complimentary, psychological, or more invasive therapies. Finally, there was consensus that gastroparesis adversely impacts on quality of life and healthcare costs and that the long-term prognosis of gastroparesis depends on the cause.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

A multinational group of European experts summarized the current state of consensus on definition, symptom characteristics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of gastroparesis.

Predictors of Early Readmissions in Hospitalized Patients With Gastroparesis: A Nationwide Analysis

Background/Aims

Gastroparesis is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that frequently presents with symptoms that are difficult to manage, necessitating frequent hospitalizations. We sought to determine the predictors of early readmission due to gastroparesis based on etiology.

Methods

We identified all adults discharged with a principal diagnosis of gastroparesis after hospitalization from the 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database. We compared etiology wise (diabetes, post-surgical, and idiopathic) early readmission. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors of 30-day readmission.

Results

A total of 12 689 patients were identified, 30.7% diabetic, 2.6% post-surgical, and 66.7% were idiopathic. Patients with diabetic gastroparesis were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than idiopathic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.94) and post-surgical gastroparesis (aOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34-0.98). Pyloroplasty was associated with less likelihood of 30-day readmission (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20-0.97). In addition, male gender (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.37), modified Elixhauser comorbidity score ≥ 3 (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.18-1.61), chronic pain syndrome (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.11-1.78), younger (18-64 years) age (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.34-2.00), need for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube (aOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.21-3.52), and need for total parenteral nutrition (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.24-2.35) were associated with increased risk of 30-day readmission.

Conclusions

One in 5 patients was readmitted with gastroparesis within 30 days. In the diabetic group, diabetes-related complications contributed to readmissions than gastroparesis. Pyloroplasty is associated with reduced early hospital readmission. Prospective studies are needed for validation of these results.

Gastroparesis with Cannabis Use: A Retrospective Study from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Background: With increasing utilization of cannabis in the United States (US), clinicians may encounter more cases of Gastroparesis (GP) in coming years.Objective: The primary outcome was inpatient mortality for GP with cannabis use. Secondary outcomes included system-based complications and the burden of the disease on the US healthcare system.Methods: From the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), we identified adult hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of GP for 2016 and 2017. Individuals ≤18 years of age were excluded. The study population was subdivided based on a secondary diagnosis of cannabis use. The outcomes included biodemographic characteristics, mortality, complications, and burden of disease on the US healthcare system.Results: For 2016 and 2017, we identified 99,695 hospitalizations with GP. Of these hospitalizations, 8,870 had a secondary diagnosis of cannabis use while 90,825 served as controls. The prevalence of GP with cannabis use was 8.9%. For GP with cannabis use, the patients were younger (38.5 vs 48.1 years, p < 0.001) with a Black predominance (Table 1) and lower proportion of females (52.3 vs 68.3%, p < 0.001) compared to the non-cannabis use cohort. Additionally, the cannabis use cohort had higher percentage of patients with co-morbidities like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and a history of smoking. The inpatient mortality for GP with cannabis use was noted to be 0.27%. Furthermore, we noted shorter mean length of stay (LOS) (3.4 vs 4.4 days, aMD: -0.7, 95%CI: -0.9 - [-0.5], p < 0.001), lower mean total hospital charge (THC) ($30,400 vs $38,100, aMD: -5100, 95%CI: -6900 - [-3200], p < 0.001), and lower rates of sepsis (0.11 vs 0.60%, aOR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05-0.91, p = 0.036) for GP hospitalizations with cannabis use compared to the non-cannabis use cohort.Conclusion: Inpatient mortality for GP hospitalizations with cannabis use was 0.27%. Additionally, these patients had shorter LOS, lower THC, and lower sepsis rates.

United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) consensus on gastroparesis

Background

Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by epigastric symptoms and delayed gastric emptying (GE) rate in the absence of any mechanical obstruction. The condition is challenging in clinical practice by the lack of guidance concerning diagnosis and management of gastroparesis.

Methods

A Delphi consensus was undertaken by 40 experts from 19 European countries who conducted a literature summary and voting process on 89 statements. Quality of evidence was evaluated using grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation criteria. Consensus (defined as ≥80% agreement) was reached for 25 statements.

Results

The European consensus defined gastroparesis as the presence of symptoms associated with delayed GE in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Nausea and vomiting were identified as cardinal symptoms, with often coexisting postprandial distress syndrome symptoms of dyspepsia. The true epidemiology of gastroparesis is not known in detail, but diabetes, gastric surgery, certain neurological and connective tissue diseases, and the use of certain drugs recognized as risk factors. While the panel agreed that severely impaired gastric motor function is present in these patients, there was no consensus on underlying pathophysiology. The panel agreed that an upper endoscopy and a GE test are required for diagnosis. Only dietary therapy, dopamine‐2 antagonists and 5‐HT₄ receptor agonists were considered appropriate therapies, in addition to nutritional support in case of severe weight loss. No consensus was reached on the use of proton pump inhibitors, other classes of antiemetics or prokinetics, neuromodulators, complimentary, psychological, or more invasive therapies. Finally, there was consensus that gastroparesis adversely impacts on quality of life and healthcare costs and that the long‐term prognosis of gastroparesis depends on the cause.

Conclusions and Inferences

A multinational group of European experts summarized the current state of consensus on definition, symptom characteristics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of gastroparesis.

Current knowledge

The epidemiology of gastroparesis is not well known.

Diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis is challenging due to uncertainties in definition and optimal therapeutic approach.

What is new here

A Delphi panel consisting of 40 experts from 19 European countries established the level of consensus on 89 statements regarding gastroparesis.

The statements reaching consensus serve to guide clinicians in recognizing, diagnosing and treating gastroparesis in clinical practice.

The statements without consensus identify areas in need of future research.

Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Gastroparesis: A Retrospective Comparative Outcome Study From the Nationwide Inpatient Sample

Background

Gastroparesis (GP), meaning “gastric palsy”, is a chronic medical condition characterized by delayed or absent gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. The primary objective of this study was to determine the patient-specific outcomes and the burden of GP on the US healthcare system.

Methods

This was a population-based, retrospective study designed to analyze data available from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) for 2016 and 2017. Using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes, we identified adult (18 years or older) hospitalizations with a principal diagnosis of GP. The study sample was further classified into two distinct groups based on the presence or absence of GP, namely diabetic GP (DGP) and non-diabetic GP (NDGP). The primary outcome of our study was inpatient mortality secondary to GP while the secondary outcomes included the odds of system-based complications and the burden of the disease on the United States healthcare system.

Results

We identified 99,695 adult (≥ 18 years) hospitalizations with a principal discharge diagnosis of GP in 2016 and 2017. Of these patients, 78.1% (77,885) had DGP and 21.9% (21,810) were classified in the NDGP group. We noted a higher proportion of women (79.3% vs. 63.4%, P < 0.001), patients with a history of smoking (35.8% vs. 31.7%, P < 0.001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (10.7% vs. 7.6%, P < 0.001) in the NDGP group. After adjusting for common confounders excluding age, the inpatient mortality for GP was found to be 0.25%. Furthermore, after adjustments were made for the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), we noted higher odds of mortality in the NDGP group (0.30% vs. 0.23%, adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.75 - 5.79, P < 0.001) compared to the DGP group. Additionally, patients with NDGP had a higher mean length of stay (5 vs. 4.1 days, P < 0.001) and higher mean total hospital charge ($44,100 vs. $35,500, P < 0.001) compared to those with DGP. The NDGP group also had higher odds of sepsis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE); however, the odds of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) were lower than that of the DGP group.

Conclusions

The inpatient mortality for GP was found to be 0.25%. After adjusting for CCI, patients with NDGP had higher odds of inpatient mortality compared to the DGP group. Additionally, patients with NDGP were associated with a longer length of hospital stay, mean total healthcare cost and higher odds of complications such as sepsis, DVT and PE during the hospitalization.

Gastroparesis and Severity of Delayed Gastric Emptying: Comparison of Patient Characteristics, Treatments and Medication Adverse Events

BACKGROUND

Gastroparesis is a heterogeneous disorder. Patient characteristics and treatment responsiveness may differ based on the extent of delay in gastric emptying.

AIMS

Characterize gastroparesis patients based on the degree of delay in gastric emptying, and assess the relationship of patient demographics, symptoms and response to therapy based on the extent of delay.

METHODS

1333 solid-phase 4-h scintigraphic gastric emptying scans were reviewed. Delayed emptying was categorized on percent retention at 4 h: mild (10-19%), moderate (20-29%), and severe (≥ 30%). Analyses were performed with regard to demographics, symptoms, esophagogastroduodenoscopy findings, medication use, and emergency department (ED) visits/hospitalizations.

RESULTS

284 patients had delayed gastric emptying: mild (42.6%), moderate (19.3%), and severe (37.3%). 79.5% were women, the mean age was 45 years (± 15), and mean symptom duration was 4.6 years (± 6.5). The main categories of gastroparesis were idiopathic and diabetes mellitus. The most commonly prescribed medications were metoclopramide, domperidone and erythromycin. Opiate use (n = 69) was associated with an increased degree of delayed gastric emptying (p = 0.03) with 50% of opiate users having very delayed gastric emptying. One-way analysis revealed that severely delayed gastric emptying correlated with both increased hospitalizations and ED visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe delay in gastric emptying is a risk factor for increased hospitalizations and ED visits. Opiate use correlates with increased severity of gastric emptying. Identifying at-risk patients, stopping opioids, and instituting a programmatic care plan for patients with severely delayed gastric emptying may reduce ED visits, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs.

Gastroparesis in the Hospital Setting

Gastroparesis (GP) is commonly seen in hospitalized patients. Refractory vomiting and related dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and malnutrition are indications for hospital admission. In addition, tube feeding intolerance is a common sign of gastric dysmotility in critically ill patients. The diagnosis and management of GP in the hospital setting can be quite challenging. Diagnostic tests are often deferred because of patient intolerance of the oral meal for standard scintigraphy or severity of the primary disease. The diagnosis of GP is often established on the basis of clinical scenario and risk factors for gastric motor dysfunction. Medical therapy in GP is directed toward controlling nausea and vomiting by prokinetic and antinausea medications and correcting nutrition risks or treating malnutrition with nutrition therapy. Enteral nutrition is the preferred nutrition intervention for patients with GP. Delayed gastric emptying in critically ill patients has a negative impact on the timely delivery of enteral feeding and meeting the energy and protein goals. Measures to improve gastric tolerance or provide feeding beyond the stomach are often needed, since early enteral nutrition has been an important target of therapy for critically ill patients. This review will address the current understanding of the mechanisms of GP and feeding intolerance in critical illness, diagnostic workup, drug therapies, and interventions to improve the provision of enteral nutrition in hospital settings when gastric dysmotility is present or suspected.

The efficacy and safety of acupoint injection for diabetic gastroparesis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is one of the common complications of diabetes. Accumulated evidences have shown that acupoint injection is beneficial for the clinical treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. However, there is currently no systematic review to assess this therapy. This program aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this therapy for the patients with DGP.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Literature search will be conducted via following electronic bibliographic databases from inception to Aug 2020: the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Springer, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Wan-Fang Database. All randomized controlled trials published in English or Chinese related to acupoint injection for DGP will be included. The primary outcome is the total effective rate. The secondary outcomes are the change of motilin and gastrin levels before and after the treatment. Two researchers will be responsible for the selection of study, extraction of data, and assessment of study quality independently. RevMan V5.3 Software will be used for assessing the risk of bias and synthesizing data.

RESULTS

This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of current available evidence for the treatment of DGP with this therapy clinically.

CONCLUSION

The conclusions of our study will provide new evidence to judge whether acupoint injection is an effective intervention for patients suffered from DGP. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER:: osf.io/ms58j.

Factors Associated With Hospital Admissions and Readmissions in Patients With Gastroparesis Using the Nationwide Readmission Database

BACKGROUND

Gastroparesis can be associated with severe symptoms. Health care utilization for gastroparesis has increased in part due to an increase in hospital admissions.

GOALS

To characterize patients admitted for gastroparesis-related symptoms and determine risk factors associated with 30-day readmissions.

STUDY

The Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) for the year 2014 was used to identify patients admitted to hospitals using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 code for gastroparesis as primary diagnosis or as the secondary diagnosis with first diagnosis code of a gastroparesisrelated symptom. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with 30-day readmission.

RESULTS

There were 5268 gastroparesis patients admitted with the average length of stay (LOS) of 5.4±6.6 days. Age averaged 48.9±18.1 years, 73.8% were female individuals, and 31% had diabetes. Inpatient mortality was 0.4%. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 6.2%. Longer LOS [odds ratio (OR)=1.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0-1.9], younger age, drug abuse (OR=1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2), and marijuana use (OR=1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-2.7) were associated with increased risk of 30-day readmission. Female gender (P=0.083), opioid use (P=0.057), and admission to larger hospital (P=0.070) showed a trend toward higher readmission rates. Older patients, and patients with hypertension and diabetes showed lower rates of readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) allows better understanding of gastroparesis admissions and readmissions. Average hospital stay was 5.4 days with 0.4% mortality rate. Overall 30-day readmission rate was 6.2%. Higher LOS, drug abuse, and marijuana use increased the 30-day readmission rate. Diabetes, hypertension, and older age were associated with lower readmissions.

Inhibition of GSK-3β restores delayed gastric emptying in obesity-induced diabetic female mice

Diabetic gastroparesis (DG) is a clinical syndrome characterized by delayed gastric emptying (DGE). Loss of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is associated with reduced neuronal nitric oxide synthase-α (nNOSα)-mediated gastric motility and DGE. Previous studies have shown that nuclear exclusion and inactivation of Nrf2 is partly regulated by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β). In the current study, the molecular signaling of GSK-3β-mediated Nrf2 activation and its mechanistic role on DG were investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese/Type 2 diabetes (T2D) female mice. Adult female C57BL/6J mice were fed with HFD or normal diet (ND) with or without GSK-3β inhibitor (SB 216763, 10 mg/kg body wt ip) start from the 14th wk and continued feeding mice for an additional 3-wk time period. Our results show that treatment with GSK-3β inhibitor SB attenuated DGE in obese/T2D mice. Treatment with SB restored impaired gastric 1) Nrf2 and phase II antioxidant enzymes through PI3K/ERK/AKT-mediated pathway, 2) tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄, cofactor of nNOS) biosynthesis enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, and 3) nNOSα dimerization in obese/T2 diabetic female mice. SB treatment normalized caspase 3 activity and downstream GSK-3β signaling in the gastric tissues of the obese/T2 diabetic female mice. In addition, GSK-3β inhibitor restored impaired nitrergic relaxation in hyperglycemic conditions. Finally, SB treatment reduced GSK3 marker, pTau in adult primary enteric neuronal cells. These findings emphasize the importance of GSK-3β on regulating gastric Nrf2 and nitrergic mediated gastric emptying in obese/diabetic rodents.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) with SB 216763 attenuates delayed gastric emptying through gastric nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-phase II enzymes in high-fat diet-fed female mice. SB 216763 restored impaired gastric PI3K/AKT/ β-catenin/caspase 3 expression. Inhibition of GSK-3β normalized gastric dihydrofolate reductase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase-α expression, dimerization and nitrergic relaxation. SB 216763 normalized both serum estrogen and nitrate levels in female obese/Type 2 diabetes mice. SB 216763 reduced downstream signaling of GSK-3β in enteric neuronal cells in vitro.

The Role of GI Peptides in Functional Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis: A Systematic Review

Functional dyspepsia (FD) and gastroparesis (GP) are common disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The pathophysiology of these conditions is likely to be heterogenous, and factors such as altered motility, sensitivity and response to nutrition have been identified as putative underlying mechanisms. Motility, sensitivity as well as responses to nutrition can be influenced or mediated by peptide hormones and serotonin released from the gastrointestinal mucosa. This review summarizes the role of GI peptides in functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis. In most studies, the levels of somatostatin, ghrelin, and motilin did not differ between healthy volunteers and FD or GP patients, but higher symptom burden was often correlated with higher peptide levels. Ghrelin and motilin receptor agonists showed promising results in improvement of the gastric emptying, but the link with improvement of symptoms is less predictable. Serotonin agonists have a potential to improve symptoms in both FD and idiopathic gastroparesis. Drugs acting on the GLP-1 and on the PYY receptors deserve further investigation. There is a need for systematic large scale studies.

Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy: Current status and future directions

Gastroparesis, or symptomatic delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction, is a challenging and increasingly identified syndrome. Medical options are limited and the only medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of gastroparesis is metoclopramide, although other agents are frequently used off label. With this caveat, first-line treatments for gastroparesis include dietary modifications, antiemetics and promotility agents, although these therapies are limited by suboptimal efficacy and significant medication side effects. Treatment of patients that fail first-line treatments represents a significant therapeutic challenge. Recent advances in endoscopic techniques have led to the development of a promising novel endoscopic therapy for gastroparesis via endoscopic pyloromyotomy, also referred to as gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy or per-oral endoscopic pyloromyotomy. The aim of this article is to review the technical aspects of the per-oral endoscopic myotomy procedure for the treatment of gastroparesis, provide an overview of the currently published literature, and outline potential next directions for the field.

Per-Oral Pyloromyotomy (POP) for Medically Refractory Post-Surgical Gastroparesis

BACKGROUND

Post-surgical gastroparesis (psGP) is putatively related to vagal denervation from either therapeutic transection or inadvertent injury. Here, we present a series of patients undergoing endoscopic per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP) as a treatment for medically refractory psGP.

METHODS

Patients identified from a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing POP procedures at our institution from January 2016 to January 2018 were included. Surgical history, symptom scores, and gastric emptying studies before and 3 months after POP were additionally recorded.

RESULTS

During the study period, 177 POP procedures were performed, of which 38 (21.5%) were for psGP. The study cohort was 84.2% female with a mean body mass index of 27.6 kg/m² and mean age of 55.2 years. Common comorbidities included hypertension (34.2%), depression (31.6%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (28.9%). Hiatal/paraesophageal hernia repair (39.5%) or fundoplication (36.8%) preceded psGP diagnosis most often. The mean operative time was 30 ± 20 min. There were no intraoperative complications. Mean postoperative length of stay was 1.2 days. There were two readmissions within 30 days, one for melena and one for dehydration. The mean improvement in total Gastroparesis Symptom Index Score was 1.29 (p = 0.0002). The mean 4-h gastric retention improved from a pre-POP mean of 46.4 to 17.9% post-POP. Normal gastric emptying was noted in 50% of subjects with available follow-up imaging.

CONCLUSION

POP is a safe and effective endoscopic therapy for patients with psGP. POP should be considered a reasonable first-line option for patients with medically refractory psGP and may allow stomach preservation.

Diabetic Gastroparesis and Nondiabetic Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis can be divided into diabetic and nondiabetic, and the 3 main causes of gastroparesis are diabetic, postsurgical, and idiopathic. Delayed gastric emptying is the main manifestation of motility disorders for gastroparesis. Symptoms of gastroparesis are nonspecific and severity can vary. Nausea and vomiting are more common in diabetic gastroparesis whereas abdominal pain and early satiety are more frequent in idiopathic gastroparesis. Medication is still the mainstay of treatment of gastroparesis; however, the development of gastric electric stimulation and gastric peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy brings more options for the treatment of diabetic and nondiabetic gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying of solid food in the absence of a mechanical obstruction of the stomach, resulting in the cardinal symptoms of early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea, vomiting, belching and bloating. Gastroparesis is now recognized as part of a broader spectrum of gastric neuromuscular dysfunction that includes impaired gastric accommodation. The overlap between upper gastrointestinal symptoms makes the distinction between gastroparesis and other disorders, such as functional dyspepsia, challenging. Thus, a confirmed diagnosis of gastroparesis requires measurement of delayed gastric emptying via an appropriate test, such as gastric scintigraphy or breath testing. Gastroparesis can have idiopathic, diabetic, iatrogenic, post-surgical or post-viral aetiologies. The management of gastroparesis involves: correcting fluid, electrolyte and nutritional deficiencies; identifying and treating the cause of delayed gastric emptying (for example, diabetes mellitus); and suppressing or eliminating symptoms with pharmacological agents as first-line therapies. Several novel pharmacologic agents and interventions are currently in the pipeline and show promise to help tailor individualized therapy for patients with gastroparesis.

Wisconsin's Enterra Therapy Experience: A multi-institutional review of gastric electrical stimulation for medically refractory gastroparesis

BACKGROUND

Gastric electrical stimulation is a treatment for symptoms of diabetic or idiopathic gastroparesis refractory to medical management. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of gastric electrical stimulation in the state of Wisconsin during a more than 10-year period.

METHODS

Data were collected prospectively from patients undergoing implantation of the gastric electrical stimulation to initiate gastric electrical stimulation therapy at two Wisconsin institutions from 2005-2017. The Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index was administered during clinical encounters and over the phone preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 119 patients received gastric electrical stimulation therapy (64 diabetic and 55 idiopathic). All devices were placed laparoscopically. Mean follow-up was 34.1 ± 27.2 months in diabetic and 44.7 ± 26.2 months in idiopathic patients. A total of 18 patients died during the study interval (15.1%). No mortalities were device-related. Diabetics had the greatest rate of mortality (25%; mean interval of 17 ± 3 months post implantation). GCSI scores improved, and prokinetic and narcotic medication use decreased significantly at ≥1 year. Satisfaction scores were high.

CONCLUSION

Gastric electrical stimulation therapy led to the improvement of symptoms of gastroparesis and a better quality of life. Patients were able to decrease the use of prokinetic and narcotic medications and achieve long-term satisfaction. Diabetic patients who develop symptomatic gastroparesis have a high mortality rate over time.

Aripiprazole reversed gastroparesis in a child with 1q21.1-q21.2 microdeletion

An 11-year-old Caucasian boy, with a microdeletion in the 1q21.1-q21.2 region, had multiple medical conditions including gastroparesis documented initially at the age of 5. The patient had a history of poor feeding since infancy and had been treated for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation and multiple food allergies. As a consequence of the GERD and his concurrent immunoglobulin (IgG) subclass deficiency, the patient had multiple otolaryngologic (ENT) infections and required two sinus surgeries. The patient had poor weight gain (below the third percentile for weight-for-age) and required a short course of parenteral nutrition and eventually a gastrostomy tube. He was started on metoclopramide as treatment for gastroparesis with an increase in his appetite, oral intake and weight gain. However, severe headaches and worsening in his behaviour caused the agent to be discontinued. He had little weight gain and after a course of parenteral nutrition he was converted to a transpyloric feeding tube. Because of ongoing behavioural problems that interfered with his school performance, a psychiatrist started him on aripiprazole. After aripiprazole was prescribed at age 11, his appetite and oral intake dramatically increased and a repeat gastric emptying study was normal. The increased oral intake and weight gain continued, allowing removal of the feeding tube. More than 2 years later, on aripiprazole, he continues to gain weight without any supplemental feedings.