Changes in Electrogastrographic Findings and Gastric Fullness in Patients with Acute Hepatitis

Huh, Kyu Chan; Lee, Tae Hee; Kang, Young Woo; Park, Soong Kuk

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The common complaints of the acute hepatitis patients studied involved upper gastrointestinal symptoms resembling those of dysmotility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the electrogastrographic findings and gastric fullness before and after feeding rice soup to patients with acute hepatitis.
METHODS
The study was performed on 30 patients with acute hepatitis and 41 in a normal control group. Abdominal surface electrogastrography was applied for 30 minutes under a fasting state and 30 minutes after feeding.
RESULTS
Patients with acute hepatitis showed a higher level of gastric fullness in both the fasting and postprandial state in comparison to the control group. Significant differences were found in a percentage of postprandial 3 cpm and fasting, and fed tachygastria between the two groups. The percentage of 3 cpm slow wave (unclear) increased by the same amount as the control group after eating. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the power ratio.
CONCLUSION
Upper gastrointestinal symptoms of acute hepatitis did not appear to be related to the change in gastric myoeletrical activity. Other factors including neurological, endocrinological, and emotional should be evaluated.