Abstract

This descriptive, correlational study investigated the associations among gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA), upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and glucose control. The study also attempted to determine whether any relationship existed between upper GI symptoms, glucose control, age, or length of diagnosis and pattern of GMA identified using electrogastrography (EGG). A total of 25 persons participated in the study. The sample was comprised of 7 healthy controls, 5 patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and 13 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Electrogastrography was performed for 30 minutes in the fasting state and continued at 30-minute intervals for a total of 1-1/2 hours post-prandially. Data from the fasting, 30-minute post-prandial period, and 120-minute post-prandial periods were analyzed for the study.  Findings of this study support the potential use of EGG as a screening tool in the detection of patterns of GMA in healthy and diabetic individuals. Using EGG, gastric myoelectrical activity can be identified in both healthy controls and patients diagnosed with diabetes. Further studies are needed to generate data that can be used to explain the pathology behind, and relationship between GMA abnormalities, upper GI signs and symptoms, and the lack of glucose control in patients with diabetes.

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Revised 27 June 2008