Diabetic vegetative gastric neuropathy: contribution of the electrogastrogram

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the features of vegeta tive gastric neuropathy observed in diabetic patients based on surface elec trogastrographic recordings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An electrogastrogram was recorded over an 8 hour 30 m inute period in 63 patients with asymptomatic insulin-dependent diabetes an d in 15 non-diabetic controls. Normal the electrical frequency of the stoma ch is 2 to 4 cycles per minute (cpm). Bradygastria is defined as a frequenc y below 2 cpm and tachygastria by a frequency above 4 cpm. RESULTS: The diabetic patients showed a below normal gastric frequency and enhanced tachygastria over the entire recording period and during the pre, per and post-prandial periods. These vagal alterations were not correlated with the principle features of diabetes. CONCLUSION: Electrogastrography confirms that vegetative gastric neuropathy occurs early in patients with asymptomatic insulin-dependent diabetes. The tachygastria could lead to the increased rate of gastroparesia reported in these patients.