Lack of relationship between chronic upper abdominal symptoms and gastric function in functional dyspepsia.van Lelyveld N, Schipper M, Samsom M. Dig Dis Sci. 2008 May;53(5):1223-30.
To determine the relationship between gastric function and upper abdominal sensations we studied sixty FD patients (43 female). All patients underwent three gastric function tests: (13)C octanoic gastric emptying test, three-dimensional ultrasonography (proximal and distal gastric volume), and the nutrient drink test.
Upper abdominal sensations experienced in daily life were scored using questionnaires. Impaired proximal gastric relaxation (23%) and a delayed gastric emptying (33%) are highly prevalent in FD patients; however, only a small overlap exists between the two pathophysiologic disorders (5%). No relationship was found between chronic upper abdominal symptoms and gastric function (proximal gastric relaxation, gastric emptying rate, or drinking capacity) (all P > 0.01). Proximal gastric relaxation or gastric emptying rate had no effect on maximum drinking capacity (P > 0.01). The lack of relationship between chronic upper abdominal sensations and gastric function questions the role of these pathophysiologic mechanisms in the generation of symptoms.