Diabetic gastroparesis: how to recognise and manage it

Gastroparesis is defined as abnormal delay in gastric emptying in the absence of a mechanical obstruction. It represents a common and under-recognised problem in individuals with either type 1 diabetes (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) that can have a significant impact on quality of life. 

This article seeks to explain the nature of gastroparesis and its clinical recognition and management.

Gastroparesis and diabetes

Gastroparesis is a recognised long-term complication of both T1DM and T2DM arising from an autonomic neuropathy, typically associated with poor glycaemic control.¹

Other symptoms of autonomic neuropathy (see table 1) and microvascular complications of diabetes – retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy – frequently co-exist with gastroparesis.²