Dyspepsia and gastric emptying in chronic renal failure patients

Aims: Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients frequently suffer from dyspeptic complaints such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, early satiety and anorexia. The aim of the present study was to define the prevalence of dyspeptic complaints and delayed gastric emptying in CRF patients. Material and methods: Dyspeptic complaints were assessed anamnestically in 62 non-dialyzed CRF patients. Gastric emptying for solids was evaluated by the C-13-octanoic acid breath test in the same population. The CRF patients were compared to 27 healthy volunteers. Results: There was a high prevalence (48%) of dysmotility-like dyspepsia in the investigated population. The gastric emptying rates of CRF patients and healthy volunteers were significantly different (median gastric emptying t(1/2) 83 min versus 60 min, p < 0.01). Diabetic CRF patients had lower gastric emptying rates than non-diabetic CRF patients (median gastric emptying time t(1/2) 113 min versus 77 min, p < 0.01). Even the non-diabetic CRT patients had a significantly delayed gastric emptying rate compared to the healthy volunteers (77 min versus 60 min, p < 0.05. Conclusion: It is concluded that dysmotility-like dyspeptic complaints and delayed gastric emptying are highly prevalent in CRF patients.