title: Increased F-18 FDG intestinal uptake in diabetic patients on metformin: a matched case-control analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A matched case-control study was performed to assess the relationship between metformin use and the degree of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) bowel activity in diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven diabetic patients referred to our department for a positron emission tomography/computed tomography study, including 45 on metformin, were compared with nondiabetic controls matched for sex, age, and body mass index. Positron emission tomography studies were obtained in a standard manner and reviewed in a blinded fashion. F-18 FDG uptake in the GI tract was evaluated quantitatively using maximal standardized uptake values and visually using a previously published semiquantitative scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  F-18 FDG uptake in small and large bowel was significantly increased in metformin patients compared with nondiabetic controls both visually and quantitatively (all P < 0.0001), as well as compared with nonmetformin patients with diabetes. Control sites (liver, fat, muscle) showed similar uptake. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that metformin was the variable most strongly associated with bowel uptake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physiologic accumulation of F-18 FDG in bowel is increased in diabetic patients maintained on metformin.
authors.affiliation: Section of Nuclear Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. bbybel@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
authors.forename: Bohdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bybel
authors.forename: I David
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: Jaylene
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ducharme
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Leslie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D008687:Metformin