Abnormal gastric emptying in primary anorexia nervosa.

The gastric emptying rate was measured in 10 female patients with primary anorexia nervosa and 12 healthy volunteers, using a scinti-scanning technique for the simultaneous study of the liquid and solid components of a test meal. The emptying rate of both the liquid and the solid phase components of the meal was significantly slower in patients with anorexia nervosa. The aetiological and therapeutic implications of this finding are discussed.