Early detection and intervention in diabetic gastroparesis:Role of body surface gastric mapping

Diabetic gastrointestinal neuropathy is a diabetes-related complication,associated with a complex interplay of hyperglycemic damage,autoimmune responses,oxidative stress,gastrointestinal hormones,and vascular insufficiency.Patients with diabetes should be monitored and therapeutic intervention introduced to prevent neuropathy due to diabetes prior to“the point of no return”.Determining gastric bioelectrical activity by body surface gastric mapping may be a promising option to monitor diabetic gastrointestinal neuropathy.

A Case of Diabetic Nephropathy with Refractory Gastroparesis and Review of the Literature

Background: Gastroparesis is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus, and long-term gastroparesis seriously affects patients quality of life. Most of the patients can be relieved after lifestyle improvement and medication, but refractory gastroparesis is difficult to relieve, and is still a challenge in clinical treatment. Aim: To report a case of a patient with diabetic nephropathy combined with refractory gastroparesis, and to analyse the mechanism, diagnosis, severity grading, treatment of refractory gastroparesis in conjunction with a review of the literature, and to investigate the causes of recurrent nausea and vomiting in diabetic nephropathy patients with refractory diabetic gastroparesis and the possible effective treatment options. Case Presentation: The patient was hospitalised for recurrent nausea and vomiting and diagnosed with diabetic nephropathy and gastroparesis. Symptoms recurred after medication and peritoneal dialysis, and the patients symptoms were relieved after multifaceted interventions. Conclusion: Diabetic nephropathy and refractory gastroparesis can both manifest as digestive tract symptoms, and in the face of this complex disease, it is necessary to analyse the various etiological factors and take comprehensive treatment measures.

Effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine decoction for diabetic gastroparesis:A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)is a prevalent complication of diabetes that impairs people's quality of life and places a significant financial burden on them.The gastrointestinal symptoms of DGP patients can be improved by several Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)decoctions that have been shown to be effective in treating the disease.There are still many unanswered questions regarding the identification of appropriate therapeutic agents for the treatment of DGP in clinical practice.AIM To analyze the efficacy of several TCM decoctions in the treatment of DGP using Bayesian network meta-analysis for reference.METHODS PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,The China Biology Medicine DVD,Wanfang,and CQVIP were searched from inception to September 17,2022,to collect randomized controlled trials(RCTs)about TCM decoctions for DGP.Clinical effects and symptom scores were the primary outcomes.Additionally,we assessed motilin(MOT),somatostatin(SS),gastrin(GAS),gastric emptying rate,gastric emptying time,and adverse drug events as secondary outcomes.RESULTS A total of 67 eligible RCTs involving 4790 DGP patients and 7 TCM decoctions were included.The results of network meta-analysis(NMA)and surface under the cumulative ranking curve showed that with western medicine(WM)as a common control,the Banxia Xiexin Decoction(BXXD)+WM was most effective in clinical effects and enhancing early satiety scores;the Simo decoction(SMD)+WM was most effective in improving nausea and vomiting scores and anorexia scores,bloating scores;the Chaishao Liujunzi Decoction(CSLJD)was most effective in MOT,the Zhishi Xiaopi Decoction(ZSXPD)was most effective in SS and upgrading emptying rate;the Jianpi Xiaozhi Decoction was most effective in GAS;the CSLJD+WM was most effective in improving gastric emptying time.CONCLUSION These NMA results suggest that the BXXD+WM and SMD+WM may be one of the potential optimal treatments.Due to various limitations,further large-sample,double-blind,multi-center randomized RCTs are needed.

Gastroparesis after video-assisted thoracic surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS)lobectomy is a common treatment for patients with early-stage lung cancer.Some patients can experience slight gastrointestinal discomfort after lobectomy for a moment.Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal disorder that can be severe;it is associated with an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia and impaired postoperative recovery.Here,we report a rare case of gastroparesis after VATS lobectomy.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old man underwent VATS right lower lobectomy uneventfully but had an obstruction of the upper digestive tract 2 d after surgery.Acute gastroparesis was diagnosed after emergency computed tomography and oral iohexol X-ray imaging.After gastrointestinal decompression and administration of prokinetic drugs,the patient’s gastrointestinal symptoms improved.Since perioperative medication was applied according to the recommended dose and there was no evidence of electrolyte imbalance,intraoperative periesophageal vagal nerve injury was the most likely underlying cause of gastroparesis.CONCLUSION Although gastroparesis is a rare perioperative complication following VATS,clinicians should be on the alert when patients complain about gastrointestinal discomfort.When surgeons resect paraesophageal lymph nodes with electrocautery,excessive ambient heat and compression of paraesophageal hematoma might induce vagal nerve dysfunction.

Study on mechanism of two related Chinese herbs A.officinarum-Pogostemon in treatment of delayed emptying in diabetic gastroparesis based on network pharmacology

Objective:To explore the potential active components,therapeutic targets and critical path of Alpinia officinarum and Pogostemonis Herba in the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)by using network pharmacology.Methods:The main chemical components and corresponding targets genes of A.officinarum-Pogostemonis Herba were screened through TCMSP database retrieval[oral bioavailability(OB)≥30%and drug like(DL)≥0.18].Tgenes of diabetic gastroparesis were screened by the Human Gene Database(GeneCards),and Venny 2.1 software was used to obtained common targets for the active ingredients of A.officinarum-Pogostemonis Herba and DGP.Then,the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of the common targets was constructed by STRING database and analyzed to performed the core targets.GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the common target genes were obtained by using ClusterProfiler R package.Finally,the network diagram of"active ingredient-pathway-target"was used to establish by Cytoscape 3.8 software.Results:Totally 23 ingredients of A.officinarum-Pogostemonis Herba,97 active ingredients targets and 533 DGP related targets,including 46 common targets were selected.The common targets were mainly enriched in the cell constituents such as the nuclear chromatin and mitochondria outer membrane,involved in the biological processes as oxidative stress,apoptosis signal regulation,and molecular functions as enzyme binding,protein phosphatase binding,and cytokine activity.They were also concentrated in the signal pathways such as PI3K/Akt,HIF-1 and MAPK.The network of“active ingredients-targets-pathways”indicated the active components such as quercetin,kaempferol and galangin in A.officinarum-Pogostemonis Herba played an anti-delayed gastric emptying in diabetic gastroparesis by acting on PTGS2,NOS2,BCL2,IL6,VEGFA and other targets to jointly regulate PI3K-Akt,HIF-1 and MAPK pathways.Conclusion:This study initially reveals that the combined treatment of A.officinarum-Pogostemonis Herba for delayed gastric emptying in diabetic gastroparesis is a complex process with multi-components,multi-targets and multi-pathways,and provides a new idea for followup researches.

Nutritional therapy for gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a common postoperative complication of abdominal surgery,mainly manifested by postprandial fullness,early satiety,nausea,vomiting,and bloating.Gastroparesis should be addressed with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes nutritional therapy and medications such as metoclopramide,domperidone,cisapride,and antiemetic drugs.Surgical treatment,such as pyloroplasty or partial gastrectomy,should be considered if the conservative therapy is ineffective.Enteral and parenteral nutrition therapy can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function,maintain the mucosal integrity and immunity,and reduce complications.Thus,nutrition can play an important role in the treatment of gastroparesis.

Combination of symptoms, syndrome and disease: Treatment of refractory diabetic gastroparesis

AIM: To assess effect of combination of symptoms, syndrome and disease on treatment of diabetic gastroparesis with severe nausea and vomiting.

Gastroparesis: Current diagnostic challenges and management considerations

Gastroparesis refers to abnormal gastric motility characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. The most common etiologies include diabetes, post-surgical and idiopathic. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting and epigastric pain. Gastroparesis is estimated to affect 4% of the population and symptomatology may range from little effect on daily activity to severe disability and frequent hospitalizations. The gold standard of diagnosis is solid meal gastric scintigraphy. Treatment is multimodal and includes dietary modification, prokinetic and anti-emetic medications, and surgical interventions. New advances in drug therapy, and gastric electrical stimulation techniques have been introduced and might provide new hope to patients with refractory gastroparesis. In this comprehensive review, we discuss gastroparesis with emphasis on the latest developments; from the perspective of the practicing clinician.

Risk factors of gastroparesis syndrome after abdominal nongastroduodenal operation and its prevention

Objective:To investigate risk factors of gastroparesis syndrome(PGS) after abdominal nongastroduodenal operation and its prevention.Methods:Clinical data of 22 patients with PGS after abdominal non-gastroduodenal operation was analyzed retrospectively,and compared with the patients of non-PGS after abdominal non-gastroduodenal operation during the same time.The possible influencing factors of PCS were analyzed by single factor analysis and logistic regression analysis.Results:All t3 selected factors related with PGS,including age,disease category (benign and malignant),operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative analgesic pump, postoperative enteral nutrition time,postoperative parenteral nutrition time,perioperative blood glucose level,perioperative nutrition status(anaemia or lower proleinemia),pylorus obstruction before surgery,intra-abdominal infection after surgery,and spiritual factor were related with PGS.The statistical analysis showed that the difference was statistical significant(P【0.05),and gender had no correlation with PCS(P】0.05);non-conditional multivariate analysis showed that malignant tumor,perioperative nutrition status,pylorus obstruction,operation time,blood loss, intra-abdominal infection after surgery,and mental factor were significant related with PGS as dependent variable and related risk factors in single factor analysis as independent variables (P 【0.05).Conclusions:PGS is a result of multiple factors,and among these factors,malignant tumor,poor nutrition status,pylorus obstruction before surgery,longer operation—time,more blood loss,intra-abdominal infection after surgery,and mental factor are major risk factors of PGS.

Xiangshaliujunzi Decoction for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis: A systematic review

AIM: To assess the current clinical evidence of the effectiveness of Xiangshaliujunzi Decoction (XSLJZD) for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis (DGP).

Psychological controversies in gastroparesis: A systematic review

To systematically review literature addressing three key psychologically-oriented controversies associated with gastroparesis.METHODSA comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases was performed to identify literature addressing the relationship between gastroparesis and psychological factors. Two researchers independently screened all references. Inclusion criteria were: an adult sample of gastroparesis patients, a quantitative methodology, and at least one of the following: (1) evaluation of the prevalence of psychopathology; (2) an outcome measure of anxiety, depression, or quality of life; and (3) evidence of a psychological intervention. Case studies, review articles, and publications in languages other than English were excluded from the current review.RESULTSPrevalence of psychopathology was evaluated by three studies (n = 378), which found that combined anxiety/depression was present in 24% of the gastroparesis cohort, severe anxiety in 12.4%, depression in 21.8%-23%, and somatization in 50%. Level of anxiety and depression was included as an outcome measure in six studies (n = 1408), and while limited research made it difficult to determine the level of anxiety and depression in the cohort, a clear positive relationship with gastroparesis symptom severity was evident. Quality of life was included as an outcome measure in 11 studies (n = 2076), with gastroparesis patients reporting lower quality of life than population norms, and a negative relationship between quality of life and symptom severity. One study assessed the use of a psychological intervention for gastroparesis patients (n = 120) and found that depression and gastric function were improved in patients who received psychological intervention, however the study had considerable methodological limitations.CONCLUSIONGastroparesis is associated with significant psychological distress and poor quality of life. Recommendations for future studies and the development of psychological interventions are provided.

Loss of interstitial cells of Cajal network in severe idiopathic gastroparesis

AIM: To report a case of severe idiopathic gastroparesis in complete absence of Kit-positive gastric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). METHODS: Gastric tissue from a patient with severe idiopathic gastroparesis unresponsive to medical treatment and requiring surgery was analyzed by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Gastric pacemaker cells expressing Kit receptor had completely disappeared while the local level of stem cell factor, the essential ligand for its development and maintenance, was increased. No signs of cell death were observed in the pacemaker region. CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a lack of Kit expression may lead to impaired functioning of ICC. Total gastrectomy proves to be curative.

Implication of neurohormonal-coupled mechanisms of gastric emptying and pancreatic secretory function in diabetic gastroparesis

Recently, diabetic gastroparesis(DGP) has received much attention as its prevalence is increasing in a dramatic fashion and management of patients with DGP represents a challenge in the clinical practice due to the limited therapeutic options. DGP highlights an interrelationship between the gastric emptying and pancreatic secretory function that regulate a wide range of digestive and metabolic functions, respectively. It well documented that both gastric emptying and pancreatic secretion are under delicate control by multiple neurohormonal mechanisms including extrinsic parasympathetic pathways and gastrointestinal(GI) hormones. Interestingly, the latter released in response to various determinants that related to the rate and quality of gastric emptying. Others and we have provided strong evidence that the central autonomic nuclei send a dual output(excitatory and inhibitory) to the stomach and the pancreas in response to a variety of hormonal signals from the abdominal viscera. Most of these hormones released upon gastric emptying to provide feedback, and control this process and simultaneously regulate pancreatic secretion and postprandial glycemia. These findings emphasize an important link between gastric emptying and pancreatic secretion and its role in maintaining homeostatic processes within the GI tract. The present review deals with the neurohormonal-coupled mechanisms of gastric emptying and pancreatic secretory function that implicated in DGP and this provides new insights in our understanding of the pathophysiology of DGP. This also enhances the process of identifying potential therapeutic targets to treat DGP and limit the complications of current management practices.

Outcomes of per oral endoscopic pyloromyotomy in gastroparesis worldwide

Per oral endoscopic pyloromyotomy(POP),also known as gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy(GPOEM),is a novel procedure with promising potential for the treatment of gastroparesis.As more data emerge and the procedure is becoming more recognized in clinical practice,its safety and efficacy need to be carefully evaluated.Appropriate patient selection for favorable clinical success prediction after GPOEM also needs additional research.This review aims to systemically summarize the existing data on clinical outcomes of POP.Symptomatologic responses to the procedure,its adverse effects,procedural techniques,and predictive factors of clinical success are also discussed.

Treatment of refractory diabetic gastroparesis: Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine therapies

Refractory diabetic gastroparesis(DGP),a disorder that occurs in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics,is associated with severe symptoms,such as nausea and vomiting,and results in an economic burden on the health care system.In this article,the basic characteristics of refractory DGP are reviewed,followed by a discussion of therapeutic modalities,which encompasses the definitions and clinical manifestations,pathogenesis,diagnosis,and therapeutic efficacy evaluation of refractory DGP.The diagnostic standards assumed in this study are those set forth in the published literature due to the absence of recognized diagnosis criteria that have been assessed by an international organization.The therapeutic modalities for refractory DGP are as follows:drug therapy,nutritional support,gastricelectrical stimulation,pyloric botulinum toxin injection,endoscopic or surgical therapy,and traditional Chinese treatment.The therapeutic modalities may be used alone or in combination.The use of traditional Chinese treatments is prevalent in China.The effectiveness of these therapies appears to be supported by preliminary evidence and clinical experience,although the mechanisms that underlie these effects will require further research.The purpose of this article is to explore the potential of combined Western and traditional Chinese medicine treatment methods for improved patient outcomes in refractory DGP.

Gastroparesis:New insights into an old disease

Gastroparesis(Gp)is a chronic disease characterized by a delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction.Although this condition has been reported in the literature since the mid-1900s,only recently has there been renewed clinical and scientific interest in this disease,which has a potentially great impact on the quality of life.The aim of this review is to explore the pathophysiological,diagnostic and therapeutical aspects of Gp according to the most recent evidence.A comprehensive online search for Gp was carried out using MEDLINE and EMBASE.Gp is the result of neuromuscular abnormalities of the gastric motor function.There is evidence that patients with idiopathic and diabetic Gp may display a reduction in nitrergic inhibitory neurons and in interstitial cells of Cajal and/or telocytes.As regards diagnostic approach,99-Technetium scintigraphy is currently considered to be the gold standard for Gp.Its limits are a lack of standardization and a mild risk of radiation exposure.The C13 breath testing is a valid and safe alternative method.13C acid octanoic and the 13C Spirulina platensis recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration are the most commonly used diagnostic kits.The wireless motility capsule is a promising technique,but its use is limited by costs and scarce availability in many countries.Finally,therapeutic strategies are related to the clinical severity of Gp.In mild and moderate Gp,dietary modification and prokinetic agents are generally sufficient.Metoclopramide is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for Gp.However,other older and new prokinetics and antiemetics can be considered.As a second-line therapy,tricyclic antidepressants and cannabinoids have been proposed.In severe cases the normal nutritional approach can be compromised and artificial nutrition may be needed.In drug-unresponsive Gp patients some alternative strategies(endoscopic,electric stimulation or surgery)are available.

Different faces of gastroparesis

AIM： To test the hypothesis that pain and affect rather than impaired emptying determine symptom severity in patients with gastroparesis. METHODS： Adult patients with documented gastroparesis were enrolled prospectively in a single center and asked to complete the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index （GCSt）, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale （HADS）, the Short Form 12 （SF-12） as quality of life index, rate pain severity and answer 10 open-ended questions. RESULTS： A total of 55 patients （44 women） participated. Idiopathic （n = 29） or diabetic （n = 11） gastroparesis and connective tissue disease （n = 8） were the most common underlying causes. Antiemetics （n = 30） and prokinetics （n = 32） were most often prescribed. Seventeen patients used opioids on a daily basis. Nausea and/or vomiting （n = 28）, pain （n = 24） and bloating （n = 14） were most commonly listed as dominant symptoms. Patients subjectively attributed symptom improvement to nutritional and dietary therapy （n= 11）, prokinetics （n = 11）, antiemetics （n = 10） or analgesic agents （n = 3）. In univariate analyses, the physical subscore of the SF-12 and HADS, but not gastric emptying delay or symptom duration significantly correlated with disease severity as measured by the GCSI. In multivariate analyses, the combination of vomiting, bloating and depression best predicted the overall impact on quality of life. CONCLUSION： The study confirms the importance of pain and affect in gastroparesis, which requires novel approaches to improve more effectively the quality of life in patients with this disorder.

Endoscopic botox injections in therapy of refractory gastroparesis

Gastroparesis(GP) is a common disease seen in gastroenterology practice particularly in western countries, and it may be underdiagnosed. The available drug therapies for this condition are quite disappointing. Botulinum toxin type A(BT) has been found to be effective therapy in various spastic disorders of smooth muscle of gastrointestinal tract. However, the benefits of BT injections in GP have been unclear. Several retrospective and open label studies have shown clinical advantages of intrapyloric Botulinum toxin type A injections, while two small randomized trials did not show positive results. Therefore, the available published studies yielded conflicting results leading to fading out of botox therapy for GP. We recognize possible clinical benefit of BT injections without any disadvantages of this treatment. We are calling for revisiting the endoscopy guided botox therapy in refractory GP. In this review we discuss important features of these studies pointing out differences in results among them. Differences in patient selection, doses and method of administration of botox toxin in the prior studies may be the cause of conflicting results. The mechanism of action, indications, efficacy and side-effects of BT are reviewed. Finally, we recognize limited evidence to recommend BT in GP and calling attention for future research in this field since no advances in drug management had been made in the last two decades.

Gastric electrical stimulation for gastroparesis:A goal greatly pursued,but not yet attained

The lack of an effective medical treatment for gastroparesis has pushed the research of new techniques of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) for nearly half a century of experimentation with a large variety of electrical stimuli delivered to the gastric wall of animals and patients with gastroparesis. Three principal methods are currently available: gastric low-frequency/high-energy GES with long pulse stimulation, high-frequency/low-energy GES with short pulse stimulation and neural sequential GES. The first method aims to reset a regular slow wave rhythm, but has variable effects on contractions and requires devices with large and heavy batteries unsuitable for implantation. High-frequency/low-energy GES, although inadequate to restore a normal gastric electro-mechanical activity, improves dyspeptic symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, giving patients a better quality of life together with a more satisfactory nutritional status and is suitable for implantation. Unfortunately, the numerous clinical studies using this type of GES, with the exception of two, were not controlled and there is a need for definitive verification of the effectiveness of this technique to justify the cost and the risks of this procedure. The last method, which is neural sequential GES, consists of a microprocessor-controlled sequential activation of a series of annular electrodes along the distal two thirds of the stomach and is able to induce propagated contractions causing forceful emptying of the gastric content. The latter method is the most promising, but has been used only in animals and needs to be tested in patients with gastroparesis before it is regarded as a solution for this disease.

Chronic opioids in gastroparesis: relationship with gastrointestinal symptoms, healthcare utilization and employment

AIM To examine the relationship of chronic scheduled opioid use on symptoms, healthcare utilization and employment in gastroparesis(Gp) patients. Methods Patients referred to our tertiary care academic center from May 2016 to July 2017, with established diagnosis or symptoms suggestive of Gp filled out the Patient Assessment of Upper GI Symptoms, abdominal pain and demographics questionnaires, and underwent gastric emptying and blood tests. They were asked about taking pain medicines and the types, doses, and duration. We used Mann Whitney U test, Analysis of Variance, Student's t test and χ2 tests where appropriate for data analyses.RESULTS Of 223 patients with delayed gastric emptying, 158(70.9%) patients were not taking opioids(Gp NO), 22(9.9%) were taking opioids only as needed, while 43(19.3%) were on chronic(> 1 mo) scheduled opioids(Gp CO), of which 18 were taking opioids forreasons that included gastroparesis and/or stomach pain. Median morphine equivalent use was 60 mg per day. Gp CO reported higher severities of many gastrointestinal symptoms compared to Gp NO including nausea(mean ± SE of mean of 4.09 ± 0.12 vs 3.41 ± 0.12, P = 0.011), retching(2.86 ± 0.25 vs 1.98 ± 0.14, P = 0.003), vomiting(2.93 ± 0.24 vs 2.07 ± 0.15, P = 0.011), early satiety(4.17 ± 0.19 vs 3.57 ± 0.12, P = 0.004), post-prandial fullness(4.14 ± 0.18 vs 3.63 ± 0.11, P = 0.022), loss of appetite(3.64 ± 0.21 vs 3.04 ± 0.13, P = 0.039), upper abdominal pain(3.86 ± 0.20 vs 2.93 ± 0.13, P = 0.001), upper abdominal discomfort(3.74 ± 0.19 vs 3.09 ± 0.13, P = 0.031), heartburn during day(2.55 ± 0.27 vs 1.89 ± 0.13, P = 0.032), heartburn on lying down(2.76 ± 0.28 vs 1.94 ± 0.14, P = 0.008), chest discomfort during day(2.42 ± 0.20 vs 1.83 ± 0.12, P = 0.018), chest discomfort at night(2.40 ± 0.23 vs 1.61 ± 0.13, P = 0.003), regurgitation/reflux during day(2.77 ± 0.25 vs 2.18 ± 0.13, P = 0.040) and bitter/acid/sour taste in the mouth(2.79 ± 0.27 vs 2.11 ± 0.14, P = 0.028). Gp CO had a longer duration of nausea per day(median of 7 h vs 4 h for Gp NO, P = 0.037), and a higher number of vomiting episodes per day(median of 3 vs 2 for Gp NO, P = 0.002). Their abdominal pain more frequently woke them up at night(78.1% vs 57.3%, P = 0.031). They had a lower employment rate(33.3% vs 54.2%, P = 0.016) and amongst those who were employed less number of working hours per week(median of 23 vs 40, P = 0.005). They reported higher number of hospitalizations in the last 1 year(mean ± SE of mean of 2.90 ± 0.77 vs 1.26 ± 0.23, P = 0.047). CONCLUSION Gp CO had a higher severity of many gastrointestinal symptoms, compared to Gp NO. Hospitalization rates were more than 2-fold higher in Gp CO than Gp NO.Gp CO also had lower employment rate and working hours, when compared to Gp NO.