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.

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.

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.

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).METHODS:Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)were retrieved from seven major electronic databases including Medline,the Cochrane Library,Embase,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM),Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure,Chinese Scientific Journal Database(VIP),and Wanfang Databases,using search dates from the beginning of the databases to May 2013.No language limitations were applied.We included RCTs that used XSLJZD or a modified XSLJZD compared with a control group for the treatment of DGP.The control groups included conventional treatment(Western medicinal treatment),placebo,and no treatment(blank),but not acupuncture.The main outcome index was clinical effectiveness,which was based on the gastric emptying test and variations in the gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms between the treatment and control groups after intervention.Data extraction,analysis,and quality assessment were conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions,Version 5.1.0.RESULTS:Ten RCTs involving 867 patients(441 in the experimental groups,and 426 in the control groups)were identified,and the overall methodological quality was evaluated as generally low.In the treatment groups,all 10 trials used herbs alone as the treatment,whereas all control groups used prokinetic medicine.The period of intervention ranged from 2 to 8 wk.Three classes were used to evaluate treatment efficacy:significant effective,effective,and ineffective,and all trials used the clinical effective rate(based on the gastric emptying test and changes in GI symptoms)to evaluate efficacy.The data showed that the effects of XSLJZD for the treatment of DGP were superior to the control group(n=867,RR=1.33,95%CI:1.24-1.42,Z=8.11,P<0.00001).Two trials recorded adverse events,and one trial reported follow-up.CONCLUSION:XSLJZD could restore the gastric emptying rate and improve symptoms.However,the evidence remains weak due to the poor methodological quality of the included studies.

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.METHODS:Professor Tong Xiaolin’s clinical electronic medical records of patients who were treated between January 1,2006 and October 1,2012 were used as a database.Patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled.General information(name,sex and age),symptoms and blood glucose levels were obtained from the clinic electronic medical record,which was supplemented by a telephone interview.The patient-rated Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index(GCSI)was used to evaluate the severity of the symptoms of gastroparesis.The effects of the treatment were assessed by the change in the severity of the symptoms of gastroparesis and the change in blood glucose between the baseline levels and the post-treatment levels at 1,2,4,8 and 12 wk.RESULTS:Forty-five patients had a mean GCSI nausea and vomiting severity score of 4.21±0.67 and a total GCSI score of 2.77±0.63 before treatment.There was a significant improvement in the nausea and vomiting score at every return visit compared with the baseline score(1 wk:3.02±1.04 vs 4.18±0.71,P<0.001;2wk:2.32±1.25 vs 4.16±0.73,P<0.001;4 wk:2.12±1.26 vs 4.12±0.73,P<0.001;8 wk:1.79±1.09vs 4.24±0.77,P<0.001;12 wk:0.69±0.92 vs 4.25±0.70,P<0.001).Twenty-five of the 45 patients had complete resolution of vomiting during the observation period(mean time to resolution was 37.9±27.3 d).The postprandial fullness and early satiety subscale,bloating subscale and total GCSI scores were also improved.Finally,the blood glucose levels improved after treatment,although the change was not significant.CONCLUSION:Use of the combination of symptoms,syndrome and disease to treat diabetic gastroparesis with refractory nausea and vomiting may be a new treatment option.

Psychological controversies in gastroparesis: A systematic review

AIM To systematically review literature addressing three key psychologically-oriented controversies associated with gastroparesis. METHODS A comprehensive search of Pub Med, CINAHL, and PsycI NFO 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. RESULTS Prevalence 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. CONCLUSION Gastroparesis is associated with significant psychological distress and poor quality of life. Recommendations for future studies and the development of psychological interventions are provided.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rapid improvement in post-infectious gastroparesis symptoms with mirtazapine

We report the case of a 34-year-old woman with severe post-infectious gastroparesis who was transferred from an outside medical facility for a second opinion regarding management.This patient had no prior history of gastrointestinal symptoms.However,in the aftermath of a viral illness,she developed two months of intractable nausea,vomiting,and oral intake intolerance that resulted in numerous hospitalizations for dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.A solid-phase gastric emptying scan had confirmed delayed emptying,confirming gastroparesis.Unfortunately,conventional pro-kinetic agents and numerous anti-emetic drugs provided little or no relief of the patient’s symptoms.At our institution,the patient experienced a cessation of vomiting,reported a significant reduction in nausea,and toler-ated oral intake shortly after taking mirtazapine.Based on mirtazapine’s primary action as a serotonin(5-HT)1a receptor agonist,we infer that this receptor system mediated the clinical improvement through a combination of peripheral and central neural mechanisms.This report highlights the potential utility of 5-HT1a agonists in the management of nausea and vomiting.We conclude that mirtazapine may be effective in treating symptoms associated with non-diabetic gastroparesis that are refractory to conventional therapies.

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.

Acid and non-acid reflux in patients refractory to proton pump inhibitor therapy:Is gastroparesis a factor?

AIM:To determine whether an increased number and duration of non-acid reflux events as measured using the multichannel intraluminal impedance pH(MII-pH)is linked to gastroparesis(GP).METHODS:A case control study was conducted in which 42 patients undergoing clinical evaluation for continued symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease(both typical and atypical symptoms)despite acid suppression therapy.MII-pH technology was used over 24 h to detect reflux episodes and record patients’symptoms.Parameters evaluated in patients with documented GP and controls without GP by scintigraphy included total,upright,and supine number of acid and non-acid reflux episodes(pH<4 and pH>4,respectively),the duration of acid and non-acid reflux in a 24-h period,and the number of reflux episodes lasting longer than 5 min.RESULTS:No statistical difference was seen between the patients with GP and controls with respect to the total number or duration of acid reflux events,total number and duration of non-acid reflux events or the duration of longest reflux episodes.The number of nonacid reflux episodes with a pH>7 was higher in subjects with GP than in controls.In addition,acid reflux episodes were more prolonged(lasting longer than 5min)in the GP patients than in controls;however,these values did not reach statistical significance.Thirty-five patients had recorded symptoms during the 24 h study and of the 35 subjects,only 9%(n=3)had a positive symptom association probability(SAP)for acid/non-acid reflux and 91%had a negative SAP.CONCLUSION:The evaluation of patients with a documented history of GP did not show an association between GP and more frequent episodes of non-acid reflux based on MII-pH testing.

Healthcare utilization and costs associated with gastroparesis

AIM To use a national database of United States hospitals to evaluate the incidence and costs of hospital admissions associated with gastroparesis.METHODS We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample Database(NIS)for all patients in whom gastroparesis(ICD-9 code:536.3)was the principal discharge diagnosis during the period,1997-2013.The NIS is the largest publicly available all-payer inpatient care database in the United States.It contains data from approximately eight million hospital stays each year.The statistical significance of the difference in the number of hospital discharges,length of stay and hospital costs over the study period was determined by regression analysis.RESULTS In 1997,there were 3978 admissions with a principal discharge diagnosis of gastroparesis as compared to16460 in 2013(P<0.01).The mean length of stay for gastroparesis decreased by 20%between 1997 and 2013from 6.4 d to 5.1 d(P<0.001).However,during this period the mean hospital charges increased significantly by 159%from$13350(after inflation adjustment)per patient in 1997 to$34585 per patient in 2013(P<0.001).The aggregate charges(i.e.,"national bill") for gastroparesis increased exponentially by 1026%from$50456642±4662620 in 1997 to$568417666±22374060 in 2013(P<0.001).The percentage of national bill for gastroparesis discharges(national bill for gastroparesis/total national bill)has also increased over the last 16 years(0.0013%in 1997 vs 0.004%in2013).During the study period,women had a higher frequency of gastroparesis discharges when compared to men(1.39/10000 vs 0.9/10000 in 1997 and 5.8/10000vs 3/10000 in 2013).There was a 6-fold increase in the discharge diagnosis of gastroparesis amongst type 1 DM and 3.7-fold increase amongst type 2 DM patients over the study period(P<0.001).CONCLUSION The number of inpatient admissions for gastroparesis and associated costs have increased significantly over the last 16 years.Inpatient costs associated with gastroparesis contribute significantly to the national healthcare bill.Further research on cost-effective evaluation and management of gastroparesis is required.

Gastric electrical stimulation: An emerging therapy for children with intractable gastroparesis

Management of gastroparesis remains challenging,particularly in pediatric patients.Supportive care and pharmacological therapies for symptoms remain the mainstay treatment.Although they are effective for mild and some moderately severe cases,often time they do not work for severe gastroparesis.There are a few prokinetics available,yet the use of these drugs is limited by a lack of persistent efficacy and/or safety concerns.Currently,the only modality for adult patients with severe intractable gastroparesis is surgery,e.g.,pyloroplasty and partial gastrectomy,however,this option is generally considered too radical for a growing child.Novel therapeutic approaches,particularly those which are less invasive,are needed.This article explores gastric electrical stimulation(GES),a new therapy for gastroparesis.Unlike others,it neither needs medications nor gastrectomy;rather,it treats through the use of microelectrodes to deliver high-frequency low energy electric stimulation to the pacemaker area of the stomach.Thus,it is tolerated and safe in children.Like in adult patients,GES appears to work in releasing symptoms,improving nutrition,and enhancing the quality of life;it also helps wean off medications and eliminate many needs for hospitalization.Considering the transient nature of gastroparesis in children in many occasions,GES is considered a“bridging”therapy after failed medical interventions and before surgery.

Multi-centric clinical study of the effect of intervention time on efficacy of gastroparesis external application prescription treatment of gastrointestinal tumor postsurgical gastroparesis

Objective:This intervention has been shown to be clinically efficacious and safe.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different intervention times on the efficacy of gastroparesis external application prescription versus placebo for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumor postoperative,postsurgical gastroparesis.Methods:A multicenter,randomized,double-blind,placebo controlled phaseⅢclinical trial was designed to demonstrate superiority and conducted at four grade 3A hospitals in Beijing.Patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal tumor postsurgical gastroparesis and local cold syndrome in the abdomen were enrolled and received conventional treatment(nutritional support,gastrointestinal decompression,and prokinetic medication).Treatment and control groups respectively received gastroparesis external application prescription or placebo acupoint application over a treatment course of 14 days or until the primary efficacy endpoint(clinical efficiency)was achieved.Results:A total of 120 patients were enrolled in the treatment and control groups(n Z 60 per group),and 15 patients dropped out of the study because of skin allergies(n Z 7)or poor efficacy(nZ8).The efficacy among patients in Class B of Group A(treatment group)was marginally better than that of Group B(control group)(64.28%vs.55.56%)although the difference between the two groups was not significant.However,the efficacy among patients in Class C of Group A was significantly better than that of Group B(79.49%vs.43.33%).For Group A,the time for patients in the three classes to achieve the efficacy endpoint increased significantly with disease progression(3.00,6.78,and 8.29 days for Class A,B,and C,respectively).Conclusions:Gastroparesis external application prescription can effectively treat gastrointestinal tumor postsurgical gastroparesis and may be more efficacious in progressive disease compared placebo.Patients with gastrointestinal tumor postsurgical gastroparesis should therefore undergo intervention at an earlier stage.

Microsponge based drug delivery system for augmented gastroparesis therapy:Formulation development and evaluation

The intention behind the present work was to develop a microsponge based novel dosage form for sustained delivery of domperidone.Quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method was employed using Eudragit RS-100 with various drug-polymer ratios for the preparation of microsponges.For optimization purposes,several factors which affect microparticles’physical properties were investigated.Characterization techniques followed for the formed microsponges were DSC,FTIR,SEM,XRD and particle size analysis,along with morphology,drug loading and in vitro drug release.It was found that there were no chemical interactions between drugs and polymers used as per DSC and FTIR results.The drug-polymer ratio showed remarkable impact on drug content,encapsulation efficiency and particle size.SEM micrographs revealed that microsponges were spherical in shape with porous surface,and had 104±0.22μm mean particle size.The microsponges were then loaded in capsules followed by in vitro drug release study;which depicted that microsponges with drug-polymer ratio of 1:2 were more proficient to give extended drug release of 76.38%at the end of 8 h,superior in contrast to conventional marketed formulation Domstal®,which got exhausted incredibly earlier by releasing 82.57%drug at the end of 1⁄2 h only.Hence,the developed microsponge based formulation of domperidone would be an expectant,promising substitute to conventional therapy of gastroparesis,emesis and alike gastric ailments.