Korean J Neurogastroenterol Motil.
2003 Dec;9(2):113-118.
Electrogastrographic Studies in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Korea. sjyoun@med.chungbuk.ac.kr
Abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS
Liver cirrhosis (LC) is characterized by an irreversible change of liver parenchyme, irrespective of origin. It is characterized by esophageal varix bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Dysmotility and delayed emptying time of the stomach have been reported in patients with LC. However, electrogastrography (EGG) has not been studied extensively in patients with LC. The aims of this study were to investigate the difference in EGG findings between patients with LC and normal volunteers and to observe differences in EGG findings related to esophageal varix, ascites and albumin levels in LC.
METHODS
The study was performed in 20 healthy volunteers and 25 patients with LC. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using surface EGG.
RESULTS
EGG abnormalities were noted in 10% (2/20) of the control group, and in 16% (4/25) of patients with LC. The differences in the frequency of EGG abnormality between two groups were not significant (p=0.422). There was no significant correlation between EGG findings and albumin levels, clinically significant ascites or esophageal varices.
CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in EGG findings between patients with LC and healthy controls.
