Relationships between autonomic nerve function and gastric emptying in patients with autoimmune gastritis

Purpose Autonomic nervous system dysfunction exists in autoimmune diseases. Symptoms of autoimmune gastritis are not specific, and some patients may present symptoms suggestive of delayed gastric emptying. This study aims to investigate whether any autonomic dysfunction exists in autoimmune gastritis patients, and if so, to clarify the relationship between the autonomic nervous dysfunction, delayed gastric emptying, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods 75 patients (50 women, mean age 56.73 ± 11.77) diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis were investigated by means of autonomic nervous system and gastric emptying tests. All patients underwent a standardized scintigraphic gastric emptying study and five tests evaluating autonomic nervous system. Patients with autonomic nervous system dysfunction were then analyzed and compared by means of existence of delayed gastric emptying and gastrointestinal symptoms. Results 62 patients had autonomic nervous system dysfunction (14 mild, 40 moderate, and 8 severe autonomic dysfunction). The mean total score of autonomic tests was 3.85 ± 2.35. Total autonomic score of patients ( n = 60) with delayed gastric emptying was significantly higher than patients ( n = 15) with normal gastric emptying (4.68 ± 1.7 vs. 1.53 ± 0.58, p