Diabetes treatments, gastrointestinal symptoms and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy

Abstract

Background. Diabetes mellitus has been associated with an increased incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, possibly related to diabetes medications. Aims. The purpose of our study was to assess the prevalence of GI symptoms and pathology in diabetic subjects referred for lower GI endoscopy. Results. We identified 31 diabetic patients from 621 patients undergoing lower GI endoscopy over a 6-month period. Diarrhoea and abdominal pain were common symptoms in the diabetic patients. Twelve diabetic subjects were investigated purely for GI symptoms and nine were referred with symptoms potentially related to diabetes medications. In these nine patients only one had an endoscopic diagnosis which accounted for their symptoms. Five patients had normal endoscopies. Conclusion. Diabetic medications may be associated with GI symptoms and alternative medications should be tried before referring for endoscopy.