Korean J Med.
2024 Aug;99(4):210-218. 10.3904/kjm.2024.99.4.210.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Diabetes Occur Long before Diabetic Complications
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 2Division of Biostatistics, Department of Academic Research, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- KMID: 2558347
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2024.99.4.210
Abstract
- Background/Aims
Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are common in patients with diabetes complications, such as autonomic neuropathy. However, the prevalence of GI symptoms before the development of diabetes complications is unclear.
Methods
We conducted an interview survey of functional GI disorders among patients with diabetes visiting the endocrinology clinic of a general hospital using the Rome III criteria. The survey consisted of questions regarding functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional constipation, including functional defecation disorder.
Results
In total, 509 patients were included in the analysis. The patients were divided into three groups: prediabetes (n = 115), diabetes without neuropathy (n = 275), and diabetes with neuropathy (n = 119). With regard to GI symptoms, the prevalences of functional dyspepsia in the prediabetes, diabetes without neuropathy, and diabetes with neuropathy groups were 16.52%, 27.27%, and 23.53%, respectively; those of irritable bowel syndrome were 8.70%, 11.68%, and 16.81%, respectively, and those of functional constipation were 8.85%, 11.85%, and 15.25%, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome (e.g., postprandial fullness and early satiety) were more prevalent than symptoms of epigastric pain. In the constipation group, symptoms of pelvic outlet obstruction (such as the sensation of anorectal obstruction or blockage and the need for manual maneuvers to facilitate defecation) were more prevalent than symptoms of slow-transit constipation.
Conclusions
The prevalence of functional GI disorders increases with diabetes severity. Diabetes-related GI symptoms appear long before the onset of diabetes complications.
