Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a disorder characterized by nausea and vomiting, separated by periods without any symptoms. There is very little research on this field at this point and most doctors do not fully understand the disorder. The goal of this study is to assess how the stomach empties food. Participants will be asked to participate in this study because either (a) they have been diagnosed and/or treated for cyclic vomiting syndrome in the past, or (b) they are physically healthy. The study seeks to compare how a healthy person's stomach empties to how the stomach of someone with cyclic vomiting disorder empties.
Up to 14% of unexplained vomiting in adults is attributed to an under recognized and often misdiagnosed disorder termed cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). As CVS is better understood, gastroenterologists are increasingly recognizing the importance of timely diagnosis and early management for this chronic and debilitating disorder. Currently, the only gold standard diagnostic strategy involves evaluating clinical criteria set by the Rome Foundation, such as vomiting frequency and duration of episodes. Outside of these subjective criteria, no definitive and objective diagnostic strategy for cyclic vomiting syndrome exists. Developing diagnostic strategies has been difficult given the exact etiology of CVS is still unknown. One physiologic theory includes rapid gastric emptying (GE)-or a dumping-like syndrome related to impaired gastric accommodation. A retrospective analysis observed rapid gastric emptying by standard 4-hour scintigraphic gastric emptying study in 80% of subjects, suggesting a relationship with CVS and rapid GE. In turn, rapid emptying has been hypothesized to relate with abnormal gastric accommodation - the reflex allowing storage of food through increased fundic volume. This physiologic abnormality can be readily and easily measured using non-invasive tools, but have never been tested in CVS. To explore this further, we aim to determine if CVS patients have abnormal gastric accommodation measured by nutrient drink test.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
24
Participants will perform a Nutrient Drink Test. This consists of drinking 125mL of liquid Ensure four times, at five-minute intervals.
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Maximum tolerated volume
The amount of nutrient drink consumed before the participant reports feelings of unbearable fullness.
Time frame: Within 30 minutes of beginning the test.
Total Aggregate Symptom Score
Participant-Reported impressions of fullness, bloating, or abdominal pain, measures on 100mm visual analog scale
Time frame: Within 30 minutes of the beginning of the test
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