Research: Gastric Emptying is Slow in CFS

[Guest guest]

Research: Gastric Emptying is Slow in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

by B Burnet and Barry E Chatterton

Source: BMC Gastroenterology 2004, 4:32

doi:10.1186/1471-230X-4-32

Published 26 December 2004

Abstract (provisional)

Background

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with Chronic Fatigue

Syndrome (CFS). The objective of this study was to determine the frequency

of these symptoms and explore their relationship with objective (radionuclide)

studies of upper GI function.

Methods

Thirty-two (32) patients with CFS and 45 control subjects completed a

questionnaire on upper GI symptoms, and the 32 patients underwent

oesophageal clearance, and simultaneous liquid and solid gastric emptying

studies using radionuclide techniques compared with historical controls.

Results

The questionnaires showed a significant difference in gastric (p>0.01)

symptoms and swallowing difficulty. Nocturnal diarrhoea was a significant

symptom not previously reported. 5/32 CFS subjects showed slightly delayed

oesophageal clearance, but overall there was no significant difference from

the control subjects, nor correlation of oesophageal clearance with symptoms.

23/32 patients showed a delay in liquid gastric emptying, and 12/32 a delay in

solid gastric emptying with the delay significantly correlated with the mean

symptom score (for each p<<0.001).

Conclusion

GI symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome are associated with

objective changes of upper GI motility.