The effect of preparative solid food status on the occurrence of nausea, vomiting and aspiration symptoms in enhanced CT examination: prospective observational study

Br J Radiol. 2018 Oct;91(1090):20180198. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20180198. Epub 2018 Jun 27.

Abstract

Objective:: To evaluate the correlation between preparative solid food status and the incidence of nausea, vomiting and aspiration symptoms in contrast-enhanced CT examination, and to provide direction for standardizing the preparative dietary policies.

Methods:: Patients who underwent routine enhanced CT examination at our hospital between June 2015 and June 2017 (110,836 cases) were enrolled and allocated into solid food fasting group (51,807 cases) and solid food non-fasting group (59,029 cases). Fluids ingestion was not restricted for any case. The differences in the incidence of nausea, vomiting and aspiration symptoms between the two groups of patients with various basic data were compared. The risk factors for the occurrence of nausea, vomiting and aspiration symptoms were analyzed.

Results:: The total incidence of nausea and vomiting was extremely low (0.071%), and no aspiration developed. There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting between the two groups in all respects (p > 0.05). The incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients with an iodine adverse drug reaction (ADR) history was higher than those with other ADR history (p = 0.008) and those without ADR history (p = 0.001).

Conclusion:: The occurrence of nausea and vomiting has no correlation with the preparative solid food status. Unless compulsory in clinical needs and constraints and gastrointestinal examination, solid food fasting is not a must in other examinations. Particular attention should be paid to the patients with an iodine ADR history in an effort to prevent possible ADRs.

Advances in knowledge:: The correlation between preparative solid food status and the incidence of nausea, vomiting and aspiration symptoms in contrast-enhanced CT examination were comprehensively analyzed in a large-scale population.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media / adverse effects*
  • Eating*
  • Fasting
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iodine / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Nausea / chemically induced*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiratory Aspiration / chemically induced*
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / adverse effects
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Vomiting / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Iodine