Codeine delays gastric emptying through inhibition of gastric motility as assessed with a novel diagnostic intragastric balloon catheter

Codeine delays gastric emptying through inhibition of gastric motility as assessed with a novel diagnostic intragastric balloon catheter:
Codeine‐induced changes in gastric motility, measured with a novel intragastric ballooncatheter, correlate well with changes in gastric emptying.

Abstract

Background

The use of opioids as analgesic is on the rise, despite their inhibitory effect on gastric emptying. A novel feeding catheter with integrated intragastric balloon was developed to continuously assess gastric motility, enabling to investigate the effect of opioids on motility and emptying simultaneously. We aimed to discriminate normal and pharmacologically impaired gastric motility and its impact on gastric emptying in healthy adults.

Methods

The VIPUN Gastric Monitoring System comprises a nasogastric balloon catheter and a monitoring unit. In a four‐way randomized, single‐blinded, cross‐over study, subjects received either placebo or 58.8 mg codeine phosphate in combination with either an uninflated or an inflated (180 mL) balloon catheter. Motility‐induced pressure changes were recorded for 6 hours. During the first 2 hours, nutrients were infused (225 kcal, 75 mL/h). Gastric emptying was assessed with a ¹³C‐octanoate breath test and expressed as gastric half‐emptying time (GET½). An algorithm, designed to detect phasic contractility, converted pressure changes to a gastric balloon motility index (GBMI). Results are presented as mean(SD).

Key Results

Eighteen subjects completed the investigation (32(13) years, 22(2) kg/m²). After codeine, GBMI was lower (0.31(0.16)) and GET½ was longer (233(57) minutes) compared with placebo (GBMI: 0.48(0.15), P < .01 and GET½: 172(12) minutes, P < .001). Within‐subject ΔGET½ correlated significantly with ΔGBMI (r = −0.77 and P < .001).

Conclusions and Inferences

The VIPUN Gastric Monitoring System allowed to assess gastric motility safely and continuously. The correlation between pharmacologically decreased gastric emptying and motility indicates a strong link between both. Gastric motility, measured with this innovative device, can be an indicator for gastrointestinal intolerance.