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 per cent 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-li...