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Diagnosis changes occur in 30% of repeat gastric emptying tests
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WASHINGTON — One-third of patients undergoing scintigraphy will exhibit different results when repeated, prompting a need for repeat tests in those who do not have markedly reduced gastric emptying, according to a presenter at Digestive Disease Week 2018.
“Among participants with upper GI symptoms, assessment of GE with scintigraphy is relatively reproducible, however in 30% of patients, the diagnosis changed between the first two studies,” Anshuman C. Desai, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., said during his presentation. “It may be prudent to reassess gastric emptying before labeling a diagnosis of gastroparesis with a less pronounced delay in gastric emptying.”
Desai and colleagues looked at the reproducibility of scintigraphy in 60 patients at two occasions approximately 2 weeks apart. Within those 60, 21 had diabetes and 45 met ROME III criteria for upper GI symptoms.
He showed that in 30% (n = 18), the characterization of gastric emptying as normal, delayed or rapid changed between the two studies. Specifically, in the original group of patients characterized as normal, two exhibited delayed emptying in the second study and one exhibited rapid emptying when retested. In the original delayed group, seven exhibited normal emptying in the second study. In the originally rapid group, eight exhibited normal emptying in their second study.
“These ‘switches’ were uncommon in patients with markedly delayed gastric emptying that is less than 65% at 4 hours,” he said. “Hence, a single study may suffice in patients with markedly delayed emptying.” - by Katrina Altersitz
For more information:
Desai AC, et al. Abstract 43. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week; June 2-5, 2018; Washington, D.C.
Disclosure: Desai reports no relevant financial disclosures.