National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility


Other Names:
AGID
Categories:
Autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility (AGID) is a type of dysautonomia that may be idiopathic (cause unknown) or associated with cancer elsewhere in the body, most commonly small cell lung cancer.[1] Signs and symptoms may include early satiety (feeling full quickly), nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and involuntary weight loss.[2] Management options for AGID include treating specific symptoms, treatment of any underlying cancer if necessary, and/or immunotherapy. Nutrition and hydration therapy are important supportive treatment measures.[3]
Last updated: 7/27/2017
Treatment options for AGID are limited and generally aim to the relieve specific symptoms in each person.[2] Therapies that may be useful include anti-emetics (drugs that relieve nausea and vomiting), prokinetic agents (e.g., erythromycin) to enhance motility, and cholinesterase inhibitors. Improvement of symptoms has also been reported with immunotherapy (intravenous immune globulin) and plasma exchange.[2][3] Other types of treatments may be useful depending on symptoms and severity. Maintenance of nutrition and hydration, treatment of small-bowel bacterial overgrowth, and management of abdominal pain are important supportive measures.[3]
Last updated: 7/28/2017

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Organizations Providing General Support

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Camilleri M. Gastroparesis: Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosi. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; June, 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gastroparesis-etiology-clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis.
  2. Flanagan EP, Saito YA, Lennon VA, et. al. Immunotherapy trial as diagnostic test in evaluating patients with presumed autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility. Neurogastroenterol Motil. September, 2014; 26(9):1285-1297. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4149849/.
  3. Pasha SF, Lunsford TN, Lennon VA. Autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility treated successfully with pyridostigmine. Gastroenterology. 2006; 131(5):1592-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17101331.