Clinical characteristics of constipation associated with diabetes mellitus

Kim, Taeg Soo; Byeon, Jeong Sik; Myung, Seung Jae; Yang, Suk Kyun; Ko, Jung Eun; Kwon, Oh Ryoun; Yoon, In Ja; Kang, Jeong Min; Kim, Hyun Woo; Ahn, Jung Min; Kim, Soon Joo; Jo, Ji Yun; Choi, Kee Don; Lee, Gin Hyug; Jung, Hwoon Yong; Hong, Weon Seon; Kim, Jin Ho

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Constipation occurs frequently in diabetes mellitus (DM). However, there are few reports that investigated the characteristics of constipation associated with DM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of constipation associated with DM.
METHODS
Among constipated patients who visited Asan Medical Center from January 2000 to December 2004, 45 patients with DM (DM group) and 104 patients without DM (non-DM group) were included in this study. We reviewed the clinical presentation, results of anorectal manometry, colon transit time study, and defecogram. We also analyzed the response to biofeedback therapy.
RESULTS
The severity of constipation symptoms before treatment was not different between DM and non-DM group. Patients with colon transit time over 56 hours were more frequent in DM group than in non-DM group (21/45, 46.7% vs. 31/104, 29.8% ; p=0.047). Among DM group, colon transit time and the duration of DM showed positive correlation (r=0.431, p=0.003). The resting anal sphincter pressure was significantly lower in DM group than in non-DM group (43.5+/-21.5 mmHg vs. 51.7+/-22.6 mmHg ; p=0.048). The results of defecography were similar between DM and non-DM group. Successful responses to biofeedback therapy were not different between DM and non-DM group (19/34, 55.9% vs. 43/79, 54.4% ; p=0.887).
CONCLUSIONS
Slow transit constipation was more frequent in DM group than in non-DM group. The successful responses to biofeedback therapy appear to be similar between DM and non-DM group.