Studies of gastric emptying time in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia

Purpose To assess the gastric emptying pattern of a standardized solid meal in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia by using scintigraphic techniques. Methods Results for the half-emptying time for solids (T-1/2) and percent clearance of solid meal at 60min (C-60) of patients (n=35) having non-ulcer dyspepsia according to Rome 11 criteria were compared with age- and sex-matched controls n=28). Gastric emptying was studied by using egg omelette labelled with Tc-99m tin colloid. Data acquisition was done using two protocols: dynamic acquisition was performed for the first 100 min and then static acquisition was carried out for up to 4 h. T-1/2 and C-60 were calculated from the computer-generated time-activity curve. Results The normal range of T-1/2 was 29-88 min (mean +/- 2 SD) among the control group. The mean T-1/2 Of the patient group was 160.1 +/- 96.1 min (P<0.01). Twelve of 22 male patients and 11 of 13 female patients had prolonged T-1/2. The normal range of C-60 was 92-28% (mean +/- 2 SD) in the control group. The mean C60 of the patient group was 33.1 +/- 18.5% (P<0.01). Fifteen of of 22 male patients and 11 of 13 female patients had shortened C-60. Conclusion Gastric emptying is significantly delayed in both men and women having non-ulcer dyspepsia as the T-1/2 is prolonged and the C-60 is shortened in a significant number of these patients. Radionuclide tests might offer an objective way of assessing this particular aspect of gastric physiology.