Body weight in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis

Abstract

Background: The classic clinical picture of gastroparesis is a symptomatic patient losing weight. In addition, a number of patients with delayed gastric emptying are obese and/or gaining weight. Our aim was to investigate the factors impacting body weight in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis.

Methods: In patients with idiopathic gastroparesis, detailed history and weight were acquired at enrollment and after 48 weeks. Questionnaires assessed symptoms, food intake, physical activity, and quality of life. Patients underwent laboratory testing, gastric emptying scintigraphy, and water load testing.

Results: Of 138 patients with idiopathic gastroparesis, 10% were underweight (BMI < 18.5), 39% were normal weight (BMI 18.5-25), 20% were overweight with BMI 25 to 30 kg/m2 , and 29% were obese with BMI > 30 kg/m2 . Body weight at enrollment was positively associated with oral caloric consumption (P < .001), following a gastroparesis diet (P = .04), nutrition consultation (P = .001), upper abdominal pain (P = .01); and negatively associated with energy expenditure (P = .05), alcohol use (P = .003) and severity of bloating (P < .001). When followed over 48 weeks, 53% patients stayed stable (within 5% of baseline weight), 30% gained, and 17% lost weight. Weight gain over 48 weeks was positively associated with oral caloric consumption (P = .003) and constipation severity (P = .005) at enrollment, and negatively associated with lower abdominal pain severity (P = .007) at enrollment, and associated with improvement in inability to finish meal score (P < .001) at 48 weeks.

Conclusions: In this series of patients with idiopathic gastroparesis, 10% were underweight whereas 29% were obese. Over 48 weeks, 30% of patients increased their body weight ≥ 5%. Diet, activity, and symptoms are important factors associated with body weight in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01696747.

Keywords: Body mass index; gastric emptying; gastroparesis; idiopathic gastroparesis; obesity.

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Figures

Figure 1.

Distribution of BMI at enrollment of the 138 patients with idiopathic gastroparesis.

Figure 2.

Change in body weight versus the change in the fullness subscale over 48 weeks in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis. This graph plots absolute numbers, as opposed to the 3 groups shown in Table 3, t. 13 patients were missing GCSI score at F48 accounting for the differences in the n values in the tables and figure.