Evaluation of standard haemodynamic tests of autonomic function and HbA1c as predictors of delayed gastric emptying in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

We examined the relation between chronic glycaemic control (using glycosyla ted haemoglobin), haemodynamic autonomic function and rate of gastric empty ing in 16 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Gastric emptying was meas ured using a paracetamol absorption technique. Parameters of gastric emptyi ng include area under the plasma paracetamol concentration time curve. Pati ents were classified as diabetic autonomic neuropathy positive or negative using five standardized haemodynamic reflex tests. Area under the plasma pa racetamol concentration time curve in the neuropathy positive (10.36 (4.5) mmol(-1.) min) and negative (9.84 (3.0) mmol(-1.) min) groups were similar (P=0.42) using unpaired Student's .t.-tests. Glycosylated haemoglobin conce ntration and area under the plasma paracetamol concentration time curve (n= 16) demonstrated a Pearson's correlation co-efficient of 0.24. Neither test s of haemodynamic autonomic function, nor concentration of glycosylated hae moglobin, are predictive of diabetic gastroparesis.