IMPORTANCE Gastroparesis is a condition of delayed gastric emptying in the absence of
gastric outlet obstruction. Based on a 2018 US administrative health insurance claims
database study, prevalence of definite gastroparesis (with documented delayed gastric
emptying) was 21.5 per 100 000 persons.
OBSERVATIONS Gastroparesis, which is caused by reduced contractions of the distal stomach
or abnormal pyloric relaxation, is more common among females than males (ratio, 2:1-4:1) and
typically causes nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and abdominal pain or discomfort.
In a large US epidemiological study involving 82.6 million patients, the most common causes
of gastroparesis were type 2 diabetes (51.7%), postsurgical effects (15%), medication-induced…