Proximal gastric compliance and perception of distension in type 1 diabetes mellitus: effects of hyperglycemia.

OBJECTIVE

Upper GI symptoms and disordered gastric motor function occur frequently in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and may be influenced by the blood glucose concentration. The aims of this study were to evaluate proximal gastric compliance and perception of gastric distension during euglycemia and hyperglycemia in unselected patients with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Ten randomly selected patients with type 1 diabetes were studied. On a single day, isovolumetric and isobaric distensions of the proximal stomach were performed during both euglycemia (blood glucose, 6 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia (15 mmol/L), in randomized order. Sensations of fullness, nausea, and bloating were scored using visual analog scales during each step. Results were compared with those obtained in 10 healthy subjects studied during euglycemia.

RESULTS

During euglycemia, perceptions of fullness (p < 0.01), nausea (p < 0.01), and bloating (p < 0.05) were greater during gastric distension in patients with diabetes when compared with healthy controls. In the patients, hyperglycemia increased gastric compliance (p < 0.05) when compared to euglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

In unselected patients with type 1 diabetes 1) the perception of gastric distension during euglycemia is increased compared with healthy controls, and 2) hyperglycemia increases proximal gastric compliance.