A 25-Year Longitudinal Evaluation of Gastric Emptying in Diabetes

OBJECTIVE-To evaluate the natural history of gastric emptying in diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-Thirteen patients with diabetes (12, type 1; 1, type 2) had measurements of gastric emptying, blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin, upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and autonomic nerve function at baseline and after 24.7 +/- 1.5 years. RESULTS-There was no change in gastric emptying of either solids (% retention at 100 min) (baseline 58.5 +/- 5% vs. follow-up 51.9 +/- 8% ; P = 0.35) or liquids (50% emptying time) (baseline 29.8 +/- 3 min vs. follow-up 34.3 +/- 6 min; P = 0.37). Gastric emptying of solid at follow-up was related to emptying at baseline (r = 0.56, P < 0.05). At follow-up, blood glucose concentrations were lower (P = 0.006), autonomic function deteriorated (P = 0.03), and gastrointestinal symptoms remained unchanged (P = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS-In unselected patients with diabetes, gastric emptying appears remarkably stable over 25 years.