[Frequency of digestive symptoms in Brazilian patients with Diabetes Mellitus].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequencies of digestive symptoms in an unselected sample of Brazilian diabetics, in comparison to those verified in the general population.


METHODS
The frequencies of 13 digestive symptoms were determined in 153 type 1 and type 2 diabetics and in 50 apparently healthy controls, utilizing a structured, standardized questionnaire.


RESULTS
The percentage of diabetics with at least one symptom was significantly higher than in controls (70% vs 36%, p = 0.01). Higher frequencies of upper digestive symptoms, such as postprandial epigastric fullness (30% vs 35%), heartburn (30% vs 34%), as well as constipation (17% vs 12%) were observed in both groups. Nevertheless, only the prevalence of dysphagia (13% vs 2%) was significantly increased (p = 0.02) in diabetics.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that gastrointestinal symptoms are common in diabetics, but this seems also to be the case in the general population, with the exception of dysphagia. The frequencies of symptoms observed in Brazil were similar to those reported in studies from the North Hemisphere, a finding that does not support the hypothesis that external factors may influence the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in diabetics.
Troncon
L E
LE
Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP. ledatron@fmrp.usp.br
Lopes
R P
RP
Simão
M N
MN
Iquegami
M
M
Rosa-e-Silva
L
L
Nobre-e-Souza
M A
MA
Foss
M C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires