Effects of pancreatin therapy on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objectives: Gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) are more common in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in comparison to normal population. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the pancreatin therapy on the GIS in patients with type 2 DM. Methods: This study included patients with type 2 DM admitted to the Gastroenterology Department between February to July 2017. Age, HbA1c, level of C-peptide, triglyceride, antidiabetic treatments, fecal elastase levels were evaluated in the files of all patients. The GIS of the patients, who were considered to suffer from the exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea were evaluated before and after the 25000 IU pancreatin therapy. Results: The study included 35 patients with type 2 DM, the mean age was 59.1±7.6 years, and 24 (68.6%) of the patients were female. The exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was detected in 1 (2.9%) of the patients. Prior to the pancreatin therapy, 33 (94.3%) of the patients were determined to have abdominal pain, 34 (97.1%) had bloating, 33 (94.3%) had constipation and 32 (91.4%) had diarrhea. After the therapy, 29 (82.9%) of the patients were found to have abdominal pain, 31 (88.6%) had bloating, 31 (88.6%) had constipation and 29 (82.9%) had diarrhea. GIS including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea were decreased after pancreatin treatment (p=0.015, p<0.001, p=0.001 and p=0.024, respectively). Conclusion: GIS in patients with type 2 DM can be treated with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy