A Low Cost, Novel Treatment of Severe Diabetic Gastroparesis Based on Burkitt’s Dietary Fiber Hypothesis

Abstract

We report a seven-year follow-up of a 43-year-old Hispanic female with severe diabetic gastroparesis (GP) and a 42.5 kg weight loss (45% of body mass), who required feeding jejunostomy tube placement. The patient had an excellent response to a treatment regime directed at increasing stool bulk, enhancing gut transit, and mobilizing intestinal gas by using dietary fiber supplements and osmotic laxatives with as needed tap water enemas. Hospital cost savings for this patient exceeded $125,000 annually. This case study suggests that constipation may substantially contribute to GP.