Gastroesophageal reflux disease in diabetic patients
Kinekawa, F.; Kubo, F.; Matsuda, K.; Inoue, H.; Kuriyama, S.
Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine 65(5): 939-945
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 17511237 Document Number: 614232
Esophageal dysfunctions occur frequently in patients with diabetic neuropathy, and the complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) has also been reported. However, the characteristics of GERD complicated with diabetes mellitus are obscure because no detailed assessment was performed. We performed long-term ambulatory esophageal pH and motility monitoring in diabetic patients, and analyzed the data in detail. Esophageal dysfunctions including GERD were significantly related to diabetic neuropathy and duration. Although GERD was frequently complicated with diabetes mellitus, the symptoms were not apparent in diabetic patients. The average score of a questionnaire was extremely low, and no significant difference in score was observed between patients with and without gastroesophageal reflux. We should keep in mind that diabetic patients have the abnormal gastroesophageal reflux even when they do not complain of the related symptoms.