Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in young and middle-aged diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal disorders have been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms in out-clinic diabetic patients in the county of Umeå, Sweden.

Methods: Diabetic patients aged 24-59 years residing in Umeå County (population, 136,000) were included in the study (n = 489), as were 200 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. A questionnaire was mailed to the patients and controls, and a reminder was sent 5 months later. The questionnaire contained 28 questions concerning gastrointestinal symptoms, bowel habits, and medication during the preceding year.

Results: Fifty-nine per cent of the patients and 53% of the controls responded. The total number of reported gastrointestinal symptoms was significantly greater in patients (1.25 +/- 0.10; mean +/- standard deviation) than in control subjects (0.50 +/- 0.08). This increase was seen in both type-1 (1.12 +/- 0.11) and type-2 (1.52 +/- 0.25) diabetic patients. Female diabetic patients reported significantly more symptoms than did male patients (1.59 +/- 0.17 and 0.81 +/- 0.12, respectively). Patients with neuropathy had significantly more symptoms than the other patients. Symptom frequency was not correlated with nephropathy or retinopathy or with the duration of diabetes, body mass index, glycosylated haemoglobin, or insulin dose. Heartburn, constipation, and nocturnal urge to defecate were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls. Furthermore, a feeling of incomplete defecation, a need to strain at defecation, and urgency were significantly more common in patients.

Conclusion: Diabetic patients had more gastrointestinal symptoms than non-diabetic population. These symptoms did not correlate with duration of the disease, metabolic control, or any other complication except neuropathy. Heartburn and constipation were among the symptoms that occurred more frequently in diabetic patients than in the non-diabetic population.