Gastric Alimetry testing and healthcare economic analysis in nausea and vomiting syndromes

Abstract

Background Chronic nausea and vomiting syndromes (CNVS), gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia (FD) are complex disorders. Body Surface Gastric Mapping (BSGM), a new test of gastric function, using Gastric AlimetryⓇ (Alimetry, New Zealand) may be useful for de-escalating healthcare utilisation. This study aimed to define healthcare costs and estimate health economic impacts of implementing this test in patients with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms. Methods Consecutive patients at a tertiary referral centre evaluated with Gastric Alimetry were included. Frequency and cost data relating to medical investigations, hospital, and outpatient presentations were evaluated. Costs of healthcare utilisation were calculated, and the potential cost savings of implementing Gastric Alimetry within a diagnostic decision-tree model were estimated. Results Overall, 31 consecutive patients (mean age 36.1 years; 83.9% female; predominant symptoms: nausea [83.9%], pain [61.3%], vomiting [67.7%], bloating [35.5%]) completed Gastric Alimetry testing. Repeat gastroscopy and abdominal CT rates were 29% (8/28) and 85% (11/13) respectively. Gastric Alimetry testing identified spectral abnormalities in 45.2% of patients, and symptom profiling classified a further 29.1% of patients. Median annualised cost difference after test introduction was NZ$-12,032. Estimated reductions in investigation-related costs when incorporating Gastric Alimetry into the diagnostic workflow model were approximately NZ$1,500 per patient. Conclusions Healthcare utilisation and confirmatory testing rates remain high in nausea and vomiting syndromes. This study presents real-world data, together with a decision tree analysis, showing Gastric Alimetry can streamline clinical care pathways, resulting in reduced healthcare utilisation and cost.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study did not receive any funding

Author Declarations

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I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

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Data Availability

All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors

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