Gut 1992;33: 1042-1043 Correlation between echographic gastric emptying and appetite: influence of psyllium

The correlation between ultrasonographic gastric emptying and appetite was studied. Echographic evaluation of gastric emptying by measurement of the antral vertical diameter and assessment of sensations of hunger and satiety using analogue visual scales were performed simultaneously in 12 healthy volunteers. Measurements were carried out after the intake of 10O8 g psyilium or placebo in a randomised, crossover, double blind trial. The correlation between echographic gastric emptying and sensations of hunger and satiety was excellent (p<0.001) after the intake of either psyllium or placebo. Psyllium significantly delayed gastric emptying from the third hour after a meal. It increased the sensation of satiety and decreased hunger at the sixth hour after the meal. The association between echographic measurement and visual scales is a simple method of evaluating the relationship between the stomach and appetite. The pharmacodynamic effect of psyilium should be confirmed by longterm therapeutic trials. (Gut 1992; 33: 1042-1043) Real time ultrasound is a simple method of measuring gastric emptying which has been validated by previous studies.' Correlated with scintigraphic measurements, it could become the method of choice in evaluating the role of gastric distention in the regulation of appetite and assessing the efficacy of drugs on sensations of hunger and satiety. The main aim of this study was to determine whether there was a correlation between postprandial gastric volume measured by echography and the sensations of hunger and satiety evaluated by a validated visual analogue scale.2 The second aim was to assess whether, as a bulking agent,3 psyllium could modify echographic gastric emptying time and, in parallel, sensations of hunger and satiety. Therapeutics Research Unit, Lariboisiere Hospital, Paris, France; Radiology Department, Lariboisiere Hospital, Paris, France