The Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background/AimsGastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common among patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Our aim was to investigate the frequency of chronic GI symptoms in Korean patients with NIDDM.MethodsA cross-sectional survey, using a reliable and valid questionnaire, was performed in diabetes clinics from seven hospitals of the Catholic University of Korea.ResultsA total of 608 patients (249 males and 359 females, mean age 53.7±10.9 years) were investigated. The frequencies of weekly heartburn and acid regurgitation (esophageal symptoms) were 7.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.0 to 9.2) and 4.4% (95% CI, 2.8 to 6.1), respectively. The frequency of dyspepsia was 13.2% (95% CI, 10.5 to 15.8). The frequencies of constipation and diarrhea were 15.0% (95% CI, 12.2 to 18.0) and 5.3% (95% CI, 3.5 to 7.1), respectively. Nausea and the use of manual maneuvers to facilitate defecation were more prevalent in women than in men. Constipation and fecal incontinence were more common in diabetes patients with long duration (>10 years). Fecal incontinence and using laxatives were more frequent in the complicated diabetes group. Using laxatives was more frequent in the uncontrolled diabetes group.ConclusionsTwo-thirds of diabetic patients experienced GI symptoms. The prevalence of GI symptoms was more common in patients who had diabetic complications and a long duration of diabetes.

Prevalence of functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in Indian patients with constipation

“…In the present study, higher proportion of FC patients had a history of hypertension (16%) and diabetes (10.2%); resulting in higher utilization of antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications, further leading to lower frequency of bowel movements. Previous studies have reported the prevalence of constipation as 15% in diabetic patients, mainly because of autonomic neuropathy affecting colonic motility 38 . About 28% of the IBS-C patients had the history of GI disorders (dyspepsia and acid peptic disease), due to higher visceral hypersensitivity and GI motility, which led to irregular bowel habits.…”

Prevalence of constipation in the German population – a representative survey (GECCO)

“…(diabetes, hypothyroidism, scleroderma), and other disorders, but also secondary to intestinal or non-intestinal surgery, [15][16][17] and may as well occur secondary to a variety of medications used for treatment of chronic clinical conditions, e.g. calcium antagonists for high blood pressure, 18 opioids for chronic pain, 19 and tricyclic antidepressants for major depression.…”

Effect of an antidiabetic polysaccharide from Inula japonica on constipation in normal and two models of experimental constipated mice

“…Diabetes is associated with several changes in gastrointestinal (GI) motility and associated symptoms such as nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation (Oh et al, 2009). The most common symptom was constipation in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.…”