Relationships between intragastric food maldistribution, disturbances of antral contractility, and symptoms in functional dyspepsia.

We investigated the relationships between intragastric food maldistribution and antral dysmotility in functional dyspepsia, and whether these abnormalities relate to meal-induced symptoms. Intragastric distribution of food throughout gastric emptying was determined in patients (n = 24) and controls (n = 38) after a liquid nutrient meal labeled with (99m)technetium phytate. Antral contractility was also periodically assessed by dynamic scintigraphy and postprandial symptoms were monitored with visual analog scales. Residence of food in the proximal stomach was decreased in 8 (33%) and antral contractility was increased in 9 (37.5%) and decreased in 2 (8%) patients. Proximal and distal stomach motor abnormalities were neither significantly correlated nor associated. Increased antral contractility was significantly correlated (Rs = 0.54; P < .01) with postprandial nausea. We conclude that diminished residence of food in the proximal stomach and disturbed antral contractility occur independently in different subsets of functional dyspepsia patients. Increased antral contractility seems to play a role in postprandial nausea in functional dyspepsia.