Clinical Research Status of Diabetic Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a syndrome characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction of the stomach in patients with diabetes. Symptoms attributed to gastroparesis occur in almost 5% to12% of patients with diabetes. The cardinal symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis are nausea and vomiting. 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. 25% to 68% of symptoms are controlled by prokinetic agents,including metoclopramide,domperidone,and erythromycin. Additionally,gastric electrical stimulation has been shown to improve symptoms.