Prevalence and Predictors of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal motility disorders are common but often under-recognized complications of diabetes mellitus and may affect nutrition, glycemic stability, and quality of life.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and predictors of gastrointestinal motility disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methodology: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Department of Biochemistry, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana from 1^st October 2025 to 31^st March 2026 including 190 patients with diabetes mellitus.

Results: Gastrointestinal motility disorders were present in 92 (48.4%) patients. The most common manifestations were gastroesophageal dysmotility/reflux symptoms in 44 (23.2%), suspected diabetic gastroparesis in 38 (20.0%), constipation/colonic dysmotility in 34 (17.9%), and diabetic enteropathy in 26 (13.7%). Patients with motility disorders had higher age (57.8±10.9 vs. 50.8±11.4 years), longer diabetes duration (11.6±5.1 vs. 6.8±4.2 years), higher body mass index (30.7±4.9 vs. 28.1±4.2 kg/m²), and higher HbA1c (9.4±1.7% vs. 7.8±1.3%). HbA1c ≥9% was the strongest predictor of gastrointestinal motility disorders (aOR 3.92; p<0.001), followed by peripheral neuropathy (aOR 3.48), diabetes duration >10 years (aOR 3.11), autonomic neuropathy (aOR 2.94), female gender (aOR 2.26), and body mass index ≥30 kg/m² (aOR 2.18).

Conclusion: Gastrointestinal motility disorders are highly prevalent in diabetic patients and are significantly associated with poor glycemic control, longer diabetes duration, neuropathy, obesity, and female gender.