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Impact of rikkunshito, an herbal medicine, on delayed gastric emptying in profoundly handicapped patients

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Abstract

Purpose

Rikkunshito is used to treat functional dyspepsia in adults. This study investigated the effects of rikkunshito on delayed gastric emptying in handicapped patients.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed in nine profoundly handicapped patients (aged 1–19 years). All were diagnosed with delayed gastric emptying based on their half gastric emptying time (T 1/2) over 90 min. Gastric emptying was evaluated after the ingestion of liquid meals using the 13C-acetate breath test and the BreathID™ system. Participants were given rikkunshito [0.3 g/(kg day)] with the aim of accelerating gastric emptying. Parameters related to gastric emptying before and during rikkunshito administration were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Data were expressed as the median (range).

Results

Emesis and hematemesis were relieved with rikkunshito administration in four symptomatic patients. The T 1/2 and T lag decreased significantly during rikkunshito administration from 115 min (94–167 min) to 107 min (64–66 min; p = 0.02), and from 60 min (42–90 min) to 47 min (29–59 min; p = 0.03), respectively. The gastric emptying coefficient did not show a significant change [3.1 (2.8–3.8) vs. 3.2 (2.6–4.0), p = 0.15)] with rikkunshito treatment.

Conclusion

The administration of rikkunshito resulted in symptomatic relief and improved gastric emptying in profoundly handicapped patients with delayed gastric emptying.

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Acknowledgments

Hisayoshi Kawahara, MD, was supported by a Sukoyaka Grant for Maternal and Child Health.

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Correspondence to Hisayoshi Kawahara.

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Kawahara, H., Mitani, Y., Nomura, M. et al. Impact of rikkunshito, an herbal medicine, on delayed gastric emptying in profoundly handicapped patients. Pediatr Surg Int 25, 987–990 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-009-2453-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-009-2453-4

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