Compliance of the proximal stomach and dyspeptic symptoms in patients with type I diabetes mellitus

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In the present study the function of the proximal stomach and its role in eliciting dyspeptic symptoms were evaluated in patients with diabetes mellitus. Eight type I diabetics with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and dyspeptic symptoms, and 10 healthy volunteers were studied using an electronic barostat device connected to a intragastric bag. The intragastric bag was inflated and deflated by stepwise pressure increments, creating pressurevolume curves. During the experiment the blood glucose concentrations were maintained within the euglycemic range in the diabetics. The volume-pressure curves showed a larger volume during the pressure increase in the diabetics than in the controls (PdV/dP), 57.2±4.2 ml/mm Hg in diabetics and 43.7±3.5 ml/MM Hg in controls (PP=0.21). Gastric distension induced more upper gastrointestinal sensations in the patients than in the volunteers: nausea (PPP<0.001). In conclusion: this study showed that the compliance of the proximal stomach is increased in diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy and gastrointestinal symptoms. This abnormality, probably due to autonomic neuropathy, is associated with increased symptom generation during gastric distension.