Gastrointestinal symptoms in type 1 diabetic patients, as compared to a general population: A questionnaire-based study

• Published in: Digestion Vol. 68; no. 2-3; pp. 102 - 108
• Main Authors: MJÖRNHEIM, Ann-Christine, FINIZIA, Caterina, BLOHME, Göran, ATTVALL, Stig, LUNDELL, Lars, RUTH, Magnus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Freiburg Karger 01.01.2003; Basel S. Karger AG; Paris
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Associated diseases and complications; Biological and medical sciences; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases - epidemiology; Gastrointestinal Diseases - etiology; Humans; Life Style; Logistic Models; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden - epidemiology; Sweden; Endocrinopathy; Human; Immunopathology; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Diabetes mellitus; Esophageal disease; Diarrhea; Autoimmune disease; Nausea; Statistical study; Incidence; Pyrosis; Reflux disease diabetes complication; Type 1 diabetes; Vomiting; Regurgitation; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Dysphagia; Constipation
• ISSN: 0012-2823; 1421-9867
• DOI: 10.1159/000074523

To examine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with type 1 diabetes as compared to age- and sex-matched controls. 395 patients with type 1 diabetes, registered at the diabetes outpatient unit at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, were studied by use of a GI symptom questionnaire. They were randomly selected within 10-year age intervals from 20 to 69 years. Age- and sex-matched controls (n=242) were sampled from a cohort recruited from the general population. While the study populations were well matched with regard to age, sex and body mass index (BMI), the diabetic population comprised more smokers and reported symptoms of respiratory and ischemic heart disease more frequently. Symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, nausea and vomiting were significantly more frequent and intense in the diabetic cohort. The occurrence of GI symptoms co-varied with the presence of respiratory and cardiac symptoms but was not predicted by age, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels or the presence of peripheral neuropathy. Patients with diabetes type 1 had more frequent and intense upper and lower GI symptoms than age- and sex-matched controls, especially if only moderate and severe symptoms were considered. The presence of symptoms was related to lifestyle factors but not to the degree of diabetes control as expressed by the level of HbA1c and the presence of peripheral neuropathy.