A prospective study on the relationship between comorbidities and metformin-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in elderly patients with diabetes

Abstract

This study explores the impact of comorbidities on Metformin-induced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in elderly patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conducted over six months at a tertiary care hospital in Erode, India, the prospective study involved 200 patients aged 55 years and above. Participants were categorized into two groups—those with additional comorbidities [such as hypertension (HTN) and coronary artery disease (CAD)] and those without. Data collection utilized a structured 20-question questionnaire focusing on Metformin usage, GI symptoms, and comorbid conditions. The findings revealed that elderly patients with both Type 2 diabetes and HTN had a significantly higher incidence of GI symptoms (69.44%) compared to those with diabetes alone (54.16%) or HTN alone (56%). The highest prevalence of symptoms was observed in patients with diabetes, HTN, and CAD (70.83%). Abdominal pain emerged as the most common symptom, particularly among those concurrently taking Amlodipine, affecting 15 cases. Additionally, lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol use further increased GI symptom prevalence, with smokers showing a rate of 91.6% and alcohol users 81.81%. These results underscore the exacerbating role of comorbid conditions like HTN and CAD on Metformin-induced GI symptoms in elderly patients, complicating diabetes management. The study highlights the need for careful assessment and tailored management strategies for this demographic to mitigate adverse effects and improve therapeutic outcomes.