Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric emptying of indigestible solids in patients with dysmotility-like dyspepsia

BACKGROUND: The role of Helicobacter pylori and gastric motility in dysmotility-like dyspepsia is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether delayed gastric emptying of indigestible solids and H. pylori infection are associated with dysmotility-like dyspepsia. METHODS: Thirty-two healthy volunteers and 72 patients fulfilling the criteria of dysmotility-like dyspepsia received a gastric emptying test using radiopaque markers, and the H. pylori status was determined by histology. RESULTS: Twenty-seven percent of volunteers were H. pylori-positive, compared with 32% in the dyspeptic groups (P = NS). Gastric emptying was significantly slower in dyspeptic patients than controls and in H. pylori-positive patients than H. pylori-negative patients. Subjects with gastroparesis have a higher chance of developing dysmotility-like dyspepsia (odds ratio (OR), 2.5) than subjects with normal gastric emptying. Subjects with H. pylori and gastroparesis have an increased likelihood of developing dysmotility-like dyspepsia (OR, 4.3) than if either factor were present alone. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that gastroparesis alone and gastroparesis and H. pylori infection are associated with dysmotility-like dyspepsia.