Diabetic gastroparesis-backwards and forwards

Abstract

Diabetic gastroparesis was once thought to be rare, associated with a poor prognosis, and to affect only patients with type 1 diabetes and irreversible autonomic neuropathy. A landmark study conducted by Horowitz et al. and published in JGH in 1986 paved the way for further studies to examine the pathophysiology, natural history and prognosis of diabetic gastroparesis, as well as its optimal management. This review summarizes the developments in knowledge gained over the last ∼25 years that have led to understanding about normal and disordered gastric emptying in diabetes, with a particular emphasis on the inter-relationship between the rate of gastric emptying and the regulation of blood glucose.