Gastroparesis: Concepts, Controversies, and Challenges

Box 3

Current Knowledge

Gastroparesis is a chronic illness with nutritional problems or symptom

exacerbations requiring at times prolonged hospitalization.

Emerging Trends

Despite its burden with impaired quality of life and ongoing need for medical

therapy in the majority of patients, the observed excess mortality is largely due to

comorbid diseases, mostly cardiovascular problems in diabetic patients.

A subgroup with postinfectious forms of idiopathic gastroparesis may experience

significant improvement or symptom resolution.

Gastroparesis comes with a significant economic impact due to increased

absenteeism and un- or underemployment.

Future Perspective

Poor metabolic control, inflammatory processes, and emotional factors characterize

subgroups with higher resource utilization and may lead to the development of

markers or risk profiles enabling physicians to identify patients for preemptive

interventions.