Abstract
Diabetic gastroparesis is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus - it is a consequence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. This disorder affects 58% of diabetics and it is a result of prolonged hyperglycemia- emptying of solid meal from stomach into small bowel is delayed.
Symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis include epigastric distress, nausea, bloating, postprandial vomiting and early satiety. Prokinetic agents, which increase gastric motor activity are used for therapy.
These agents increase gastric tone and accelerate gastric emptying in diabetic gastroparesis. There is a high occurence of electrographic QT interval prolongation in patients with diabetic autonomic neuropathy even where drugs were not administtered and there is evidence of a strong connection with the sudden death of patients with diabetes mellitus.
Furthermore as a diabetic gastroparesis is believed to be one complication of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, care should be taken when prescribing drugs which may prolong the QT interval. From this standpoint in comparison with other drugs itopride hydrochloride is safe and useful in the treatment of patients with diabetic gastroparesis.