Gastrointestinal involvement in patients with diabetes mellitus: Part I (first of two parts) - Epidemiology, pathophsiology clinical findings

In patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus; disturbances of the ga strointestinal transit are well recognized. In decreasing order of frequenc y, transit disturbance through the colon, stomach, small intestine and esop hagus as well as altered motility of the gallbladder occur. Acute changes o f blued glucose concentrations have a major, however, reversible influence on motility in various parts of the intestinal tract. Long-term hyperglycem ia may influence the incidence of gastrointestinal involvement via the occu rrence of neuropathic changes of the autonomic nervous system. Early satiet y, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, constipation, diarrhea and epigastric pai n are often reported. These symptoms and recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia or prolonged hyperglycemia can result from intestinal transit disturbances .