GASTRIC-EMPTYING IN TYPE-2 DIABETES - QUICK OR SLOW

Although it is now widely accepted that around one-half of patients wi th Type 1 diabetes have delayed gastric emptying of both solid and liq uid meals, the situation with respect to patients with Type 2 diabetes is less clear cut. Recent reports in the literature suggest that gast ric emptying, at least of liquids, is more rapid than normal for patie nts with 'early' Type 2 diabetes, whereas patients with later stages o f the disease may have delayed or normal emptying of solids. Given the large number of possible confounding factors, such as age, gender, an d previous dietary history in this population, as well as the influenc es of hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia on gastric emptying, this a rea clearly requires further investigation under more stringent condit ions.