Dr. Akhila N. T,
BACKGROUND
In type 2 DM patients, prevalence of GERD is very high. Recent studies have shown that neuropathy has a positive role in the development of GERD. Thus, the aim of the study was to see if any discrepancy exists between subjective symptoms and grades of endoscopic GERD in type 2 DM patients. We wanted to measure the deviance in subjective symptoms and endoscopic grade of GERD in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS A total of 200 patients were included in the study and divided into 2 groups, diabetic and non-diabetic. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and completed the modified GSRS, an interview-based rating scale. GERD was diagnosed endoscopically and graded according to Los Angeles Classification. Grade B or ‘more severe’ was defined as severe endoscopic GERD. The intergroup GSRS score was compared statistically. RESULTS In severe endoscopic GERD patients, the prevalence of positive GSRS Score was statistically lower in DM patients when compared to non-DM patients. Mean age was 60.9 years and mean BMI was 23.7. Out of 170, 103 were diabetic, among whom 36 had severe GERD, 10 had positive GSRS Score and remaining 67 were nondiabetic, among whom 39 had severe GERD and 37 among them had positive GSRS Score. CONCLUSIONS Hence forth, diabetic patients are less likely to experience the symptoms of GERD as the ability to feel acid regurgitation is reduced in DM patients.
