PILOT-STUDY OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CONSTIPATION AMONG COMMUNITY DIABETICS

We aimed to compare gastrointestinal transit and defecatory function i n a random sample of people with or without diabetes mellitus in a US community who reported constipation or laxative use. In this pilot stu dy we measured: gastric, small bowel; and colonic transit by scintigra phy; Vector manometry of anal sphincters at rest and during squeeze; d efecatory dynamics by balloon expulsion test; and scintigraphic measur ement of anorectal angle at rest and during defecation. Autonomic func tion tests were performed in diabetics. Diabetics with constipation ha d a higher prevalence of abnormal evacuation or prolonged colonic tran sit during the first 24 hr than controls (P = 0.07): three had prolong ed 24-hr colonic transit, and three abnormal evacuation. Among constip ated controls, only one had anismus. Overall, diabetics had slower col onic transit during the first 24 hr than nondiabetics (P < 0.05). Comm unity diabetics who experience constipation or use laxatives have a gr eater prevalence of delayed 24-hr colonic transit or evacuatory dysfun ction than community controls.