Liquid gastric emptying and antral motility in adult asthmatics
Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Kelaniya
Abstract
Introduction: Asthmatics have increased prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
(GERD). Gastric antral hypomotility may contribute to this. Gastric motility has been little
studied in asthma.
Objective: To study gastric emptying (GE) of a liquid meal in adult asthmatics and
investigate association with GERD symptoms and autonomic functions.
Method: GE response to 200mL of chicken soup (54kJ, 15% protein, 30% fat and 65%
carbohydrate) was assessed by real time ultrasonography in 30 stable, mild asthmatics
(diagnosed according to American Thoracic Society Criteria) and 30 healthy controls.
Percentage emptying at 15 minutes (GER%) and antral motility index were measured.
Symptomatic GERD was assessed by a validated questionnaire, and autonomic nervous
function by blood pressure and heart rate response to standing and deep breathing and the
Valsalva maneuver.
Results: The asthmatics (15 males, age (mean ± SD) 34.7 ± 8.4) and controls were
comparable in age, gender and body mass index. On autonomic function assessment, 3
asthmatics showed hypervagal response, 2 showed reduced vagal response but none showed
a hyperadrenergic response. They were only on inhaled ��-agonists as required. Although,
20 asthmatics had symptomatic GERD, none had endoscopic gastric pathology. Compared
to controls, asthmatics had significantly delayed GER% (mean ± SD 55.4±14.4 versus
64.0±13.5, p=0.036) and lower antral motility index (mean ± SD 4.9±1.5 versus 6.4±1.4,
p=<O.OO 1 ). There was no significant association of GE parameters with presence of GERD
symptoms or autonomic function.
Conclusion: Asthmatics have delayed gastric emptying and impaired antral motility,
independent of GERD status or autonomic nervous function.
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Citation
Amarasiri, W.A.D.L., De Silva, H.J. and Ranasinghe, C., 2008. Liquid gastric emptying and antral motility in adult asthmatics, Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2008, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, pp 171-172.