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

Background: Gastrointestinal disorders have been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate th e frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms in out-clinic diabetic patients in the county of Umea, Sweden. Methods: Diabetic patients aged 24-59 years re siding in Umea County (population, 136,000) were included in the study (n = 489), as were 200 sex; and age-matched healthy controls. A questionnaire w as mailed to the patients and controls, and a reminder was sent 5 months la ter. The questionnaire contained 28 questions concerning gastrointestinal s ymptoms, bowel habits, and medication during the preceding year. Results: F ifty-nine per cent of the patients and 53% of the controls responded. The t otal number of reported gastrointestinal symptoms was significantly greater in patients (1.25 +/- 0.10; mean +/- standard deviation) than in control s ubjects (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 significantl y more symptoms than the other patients. Symptom frequency was nor correlat ed with nephropathy or retinopathy or with the duration of diabetes, body m ass index, glycosylated haemoglobin, or insulin dose. Heartburn, constipati on, and nocturnal urge to defecate were significantly more frequent in pati ents than in controls. Furthermore, a feeling of incomplete defecation, a n eed 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 duratio n of die disease, metabolic control, or any other complication except neuro pathy. Heartburn and constipation were among the symptoms that occurred mor e frequently in diabetic patients than in the non-diabetic population.