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Small bowel bacterial overgrowth and type 1 diabetes
V Ojetti1, D Pitocco, E Scarpellini
1Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. veronica.ojetti@tin.it
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|January 21, 2010
Summary
Diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy have a significantly higher prevalence of small-bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This condition is also linked to increased daily insulin needs in type 1 diabetes patients.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Neurology
Background:
- Diabetic patients frequently experience gastrointestinal motility disorders, often linked to autonomic neuropathy.
- Small-bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is associated with impaired intestinal motility, but its connection to autonomic neuropathy in diabetics is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence of SIBO in type 1 diabetic patients with and without autonomic neuropathy.
Main Methods:
- A hydrogen lactulose breath test was administered to 50 type 1 diabetic patients.
- Patients were divided into two groups: 25 with normal cardiovascular autonomic function (Group A) and 25 with abnormal function (Group B).
Main Results:
- SIBO was detected in 8% of Group A and 44% of Group B (p<0.01).
- In Group B, SIBO-positive patients required significantly higher daily insulin doses (0.66+/-0.3 UI/kg) compared to SIBO-negative patients (0.59+/-0.1 UI/kg, p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Autonomic neuropathy is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of SIBO in type 1 diabetic patients.
- The presence of SIBO in these patients correlates with increased daily insulin requirements.
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