Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: To assess the quality of life, the presence and severity of depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes combined with gastroparesis and without it

Methods: Forty three patients with diabetes were included in the study. The presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as the intensity and frequency of symptoms over the last 2 weeks, were measured with the Patient Assessment of the upper gastrointestinal symptom severity index (PAGI-SYM), the Patient Assessment of the upper gastrointestinal disorders-quality of life (PAGI-QOL). To assess the emotional sphere and cognitive functions, questionnaires were used: 36-item Short Form Health Survey and Beck Depression Inventory.

Results: In our study, a significant prevalence of GI symptoms among patients with diabetes was found: 24 patients had gastrointestinal symptoms (55.8%), 19 patients had no such symptoms (44%). In our study, we compared the prevalence of depression in a group of patients with GI symptoms and without them: in both groups there was a mild degree of depression (10–15 points in the assessment of the Beck Depression Inventory), in 8 patients with GI symptoms (33%) there was a moderate degree of depression (16–19 points), the severity of gastrointestinal disorders in patients with diabetes did not correlate with the severity of depression in these patients. In the analysis of the SF-36 QoL questionnaire, the median QoL in patients with diabetes without GI symptoms ranged from 50 (general health) to 100 (role-related emotional functioning). In the group of patients with GI symptoms, the median of quality of life scores on 8 scales ranged from 45 (general health) to 70 (physical functioning, social functioning). When comparing groups of patients, significant differences in glycemic control were not revealed, and according to the results of testing, lower values of the quality of life in the group with GI symptoms were noted. Both groups reported deterioration in the quality of life, but the severity of the symptoms of depression was greater in the group with GI symptoms.

Conclusions: Patients with diabetes and symptoms of gastroparesis suffer from deterioration in the quality of life and the severity of depressive symptoms.