Objectives. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in anorexia and in bulimia nervosa, but their relationship with gastric dysmotility and their possible improvement with refeeding are still debated. Methods: Twenty-three anorexic patients (12 with the binge/purging, 11 with the restricting subtypes) were studied using an ultrasonographic gastric emptying test, psychopathological questionnaires and bowel symptom questionnaires, before and after 4 and 22 weeks’ rehabilitation. Results. Gastric symptom scores were markedly higher in patients than in controls and improved significantly with treatment. On entry, compared to controls, gastric emptying was significantly delayed in restricters and purgers (357±25.3 and 360±13.0 minutes respectively, meanSEM; controls 207±9.1). After 4 and 22 weeks of treatment, it improved in restricters (315± 20.1 and 296±17.2 min respectively), but not in purgers (337±14.3 and 335±15.9 min). No relationship was found between entry values of symptoms, of gastric emptying and of psychopathological tests or between their variations over time. Conclusions. Gastric emptying derangement and dyspeptic symptoms are present in both subtypes of anorexia nervosa patients. Long-term rehabilitation improves gastrointestinal symptoms, gastric emptying and psychopathological distress in an independent manner, whereas short-term refeeding does not.

Gastric emptying in patients with restricting and binge/purging subtypes of anorexia nervosa.

BENINI, Luigi;VANTINI, Italo
2004-01-01

Abstract

Objectives. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in anorexia and in bulimia nervosa, but their relationship with gastric dysmotility and their possible improvement with refeeding are still debated. Methods: Twenty-three anorexic patients (12 with the binge/purging, 11 with the restricting subtypes) were studied using an ultrasonographic gastric emptying test, psychopathological questionnaires and bowel symptom questionnaires, before and after 4 and 22 weeks’ rehabilitation. Results. Gastric symptom scores were markedly higher in patients than in controls and improved significantly with treatment. On entry, compared to controls, gastric emptying was significantly delayed in restricters and purgers (357±25.3 and 360±13.0 minutes respectively, meanSEM; controls 207±9.1). After 4 and 22 weeks of treatment, it improved in restricters (315± 20.1 and 296±17.2 min respectively), but not in purgers (337±14.3 and 335±15.9 min). No relationship was found between entry values of symptoms, of gastric emptying and of psychopathological tests or between their variations over time. Conclusions. Gastric emptying derangement and dyspeptic symptoms are present in both subtypes of anorexia nervosa patients. Long-term rehabilitation improves gastrointestinal symptoms, gastric emptying and psychopathological distress in an independent manner, whereas short-term refeeding does not.
2004
anorexia nervosa; gastric motility; gastric emptying; ultrasound; diagnosis; dyspepsia; therapy
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/323768
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