August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to highlighting a condition that affects thousands yet often goes undetected or misunderstood. Gastroparesis, also called “delayed stomach emptying”, can cause persistent nausea, vomiting, bloating and nutritional challenges that significantly impact daily life. Beyond this personal toll, it can lalso lead to repeated hospital visits, complicate chronic conditions such as diabetes, and create lasting burdens for families and healthcare systems.
GlobalData’s gastroparesis epidemiology forecasts show that even though the incidence and prevalence rates of gastroparesis have not sharply increased, rising case numbers and the long-term challenges faced by patients are a growing concern. GlobalData’s latest report on gastroparesis forecasts an increase in the diagnosed prevalent cases in the 16 major markets (16MM: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, the UK and the US) from approximately 1.7 million in 2025 to more than 1.75 million in 2029. Diagnosed incident cases of gastroparesis are expected to increase from approximately 129,000 cases in 2025 to 133,000 cases in 2029 in the 16MM.
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As overall incidence and prevalence have remained relatively stable, the increase in the number of cases is partly due to improved recognition and diagnostic testing. One of the most frequent co-occurring illnesses is diabetes, particularly Type 1. Diabetic gastroparesis is thought to result from long-term high blood sugar damaging the vagus nerve and impairing stomach motility. Diabetic gastroparesis accounts for a large share of hospitalisations among gastroparesis patients.
The close relationship between gastroparesis and diabetes makes this condition a significant public health concern. For individuals with diabetes, gastroparesis can create a vicious circle in which delayed stomach emptying makes blood sugar harder to control, while poor blood sugar management can further damage stomach nerves, worsening symptoms. This interplay often leads to hospitalisations, emergency room visits and complex medication regimens, all of which drive up healthcare costs.
Awareness days draw attention to diseases and serve as a reminder that the significance of a condition cannot be measured by the rate of disease frequency alone. For many, especially those living with diabetes, gastroparesis is a daily challenge that disrupts nutrition and complicates blood glucose management. This disease affects the quality of life and lived reality of those it affects, making it clear that gastroparesis deserves sustained public health awareness.
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By GlobalData
