Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in type 2 diabetic patients and its association with glycemic control and duration of diabetes

ABSTRACT

Long-standing uncontrolled type 2 DM may affect the motility and function of the gastrointestinal [GI] system, throughout the GI tract, from the esophagus to the anorectal region. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of GI symptoms in type 2 DM patients and its association to age, sex, glycemic control and duration of diabetes. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 350 adult type 2 DM patients, selected with sequential sampling from the Ahvaz Diabetes Research Center Clinic in 2010. Data were collected by a questionnaires and analyzed using independent t-test and Chi-score with SPSS version18. Patient mean age was 56 +/- 11 years, and the prevalence of GI symptoms was 67%. The most prevalent GI symptoms were constipation [43%], bloating [35%] and regurgitation [31%]. Prevalence of GI symptoms was related to duration of diabetes [P<0.001]. Higher levels of fasting plasma glucose increased the prevalence of GI symptoms [P=0.003], which were significantly higher in females than in males [P<0.001], and also in older patients [P=0.003]. There was no association between prevalence of GI symptoms and levels of HbA1C or BMI. Prevalence of GI symptoms in type 2 DM was 67%, the most prevalent being constipation, bloating and regurgitation. There was significant association between prevalence of GI symptoms and acute glycemic control [FBS], duration of type 2 diabetes, female gender and age