Diabetes and the stomach.

Abnormalities in the function of the stomach in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus, usually insulin-dependent, may provide difficult management problems. There is a reduced frequency of peptic ulcer disease in diabetics. Gastric atrophy, often with parietal cell antibodies, is common and the frequency of pernicious anemia with its expected intrinsic factor antibodies is increased. Gastric analysis results have been conflicting but generally suggest that long-standing diabetics have lower acid levels than normals, possibly secondary to vagal neuropathy. Gastric atony occurring in a small but significant number of patients with longstanding insulin-dependent diabetes, usually with a clinically apparent peripheral neuropathy, has been associated with upper abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and a clinical picture of gastric outlet obstruction. Various degrees of subclinical delays in gastric emptying are probably present in many asymptomatic patients and, indeed, are underemphasized contributors to poor control of blood sugar levels. Studies utilizing radioactive-labeled physiological meals have demonstrated abnormalities in the gastric emptying of solids, in particular, and sometimes liquids in the latter stages of the disease. Metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist, which stimulates upper gastrointestinal smooth musculature, results in accelerated gastric emptying; clinical trials have shown that it is capable of alleviating symptoms related to diabetic gastroparesis and with its recent approval and release in this country, it promises improved management of this entity. Another agent, domperidone, a selective peripheral dopamine antagonist with no appreciable side effects, is in this country an investigational drug which has shown clinical efficacy in Europe in improving gastric stasis syndromes.