HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION AND GASTRIC-EMPTYING OF INDIGESTIBLE SOLIDS IN PATIENTS WITH DYSMOTILITY-LIKE DYSPEPSIA

Background: The role of Helicobacter pylori and gastric motility in dy smotility-like dyspepsia is unclear. The aim of this study was to dete rmine whether delayed gastric emptying of indigestible solids and H. p ylori infection are associated with dysmotility-like dyspepsia. Method s: Thirty-two healthy volunteers and 72 patients fulfilling the criter ia of dysmotility-like dyspepsia received a gastric emptying test usin g radiopaque markers, and the H. pylori status was determined by histo logy. Results: Twenty-seven per cent of volunteers were H. pylori-posi tive, compared with 32% in the dyspeptic groups (P = NS). Gastric empt ying was significantly slower in dyspeptic patients than controls and in H. pylori-positive patients than H. pylori-negative patients. Subje cts with gastroparesis have a higher chance of developing dysmotility- like dyspepsia (odds ratio (OR), 2.5) than subjects with normal gastri c emptying. Subjects with H. pylori and gastroparesis have an increase d likelihood of developing dysmotility-like dyspepsia (OR, 4.3) than i f either factor were present alone. Conclusion: Our data suggest that gastroparesis alone and gastroparesis and H. pylori infection are asso ciated with dysmotility-like dyspepsia.