Relationships among symptoms of gastroparesis to those of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in patients with gastroparesis

AbstractBackgroundPatients with symptoms of gastroparesis (Gp) often reduce food intake in attempt to manage their symptoms. Up to 40% of adults with Gp have been reported to have symptoms of a non‐body image‐based eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). However, whether ARFID symptoms precede or follow the diagnosis of Gp is unknown.MethodsFrom January 2021 to January 2022, consecutive adult patients with Gp at an academic center completed self‐report surveys for Gp symptom severity (patient assessment of upper gastrointestinal symptoms; PAGI‐SYM) and for ARFID (nine‐item ARFID screen; NIAS).Key ResultsOne hundred and seven patients (age 45.4 ± 17.2 yrs, 84.1% female, BMI 26.4 ± 7.3) with Gp (4‐h gastric retention 33.5 ± 21.8%) were included. Eighty‐two of the 107 Gp patients (77%) screened positive for ARFID. Positive ARFID screen was most often on the NIAS appetite subscale (84%) and fear subscale (76%), with a lower positive screen rate on the picky subscale (45%). Of the Gp who screened positive for ARFID, 38% reported that eating difficulties came after their Gp diagnosis, whereas 17% reported that eating difficulties preceded their Gp diagnosis, and 15% reported that both began at the same time.ConclusionsMany (77%) patients with Gp screened positive for ARFID. In Gp patients with ARFID, the Gp diagnosis was more likely to precede the development of eating difficulties. Thus, a subset of patients with Gp may be at risk for developing ARFID. Further longitudinal research is needed to confirm findings and identify risk factors.