Analysis of factors influencing gastric emptying in upper gastrointestinal bleeding patients: a prospective multifactorial study using gastric residual volume grading

Abstract Background Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a life-threatening acute gastrointestinal disease. Emergency endoscopic treatment improves the survival of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastric emptying is a key factor affecting the quality of emergency endoscopy, To date, there has been no study of the factors affecting gastric emptying in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Objectives This study aimed to investigate factors affecting gastric emptying in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Design: This study prospectively analysed 155 patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding who underwent endoscopy or treatment from October 2023 to January 2025 in our hospital. Gastric residual volume was graded into four categories based on endoscopic findings, and patients were grouped accordingly. Gastric emptying was compared across groups. Methods Statistical analysis was used to analyse the factors affecting gastric emptying. Results Patients with a short interval between eating and endoscopic intervention and diabetes mellitus had poor gastric emptying, while patients with cirrhosis of the liver had improved gastric emptying. Conclusion Gastric emptying is a critical factor in emergency endoscopy outcomes. Factors such as the interval between eating and gastroscopic intervention, diabetes and history of cirrhosis significantly affect the state of gastric emptying. Adjust endoscopy timing based on patient history, avoid it immediately after eating, and pay attention to gastric emptying issues in diabetic patients to enhance quality and effectiveness of endoscopic examination.