Abdominal Pain in a Diabetic Patient
Author Information
Author(s): Panagoulias George, Tentolouris Nicholas, Ladas Spiros S
Primary Institution: 1st Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Hypothesis
Chronic abdominal pain in diabetic patients may be due to chronic mesenteric ischemia.
Conclusion
Chronic abdominal pain in patients with diabetes can be caused by chronic mesenteric ischemia, which requires significant occlusion of splanchnic arteries for symptoms to manifest.
Supporting Evidence
- The patient experienced crampy abdominal pain after eating, which is characteristic of chronic mesenteric ischemia.
- Conventional angiography revealed significant stenosis of the celiac artery and complete obstruction of the inferior mesenteric artery.
- Revascularization led to clinical improvement within a week.
Takeaway
If someone with diabetes has bad stomach pain after eating, it might be because their blood flow to the intestines is blocked.
Methodology
The patient underwent conventional angiography, which revealed significant stenosis and occlusion of the mesenteric arteries, followed by revascularization.
Limitations
The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
57-year-old Caucasian male, heavy smoker, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 15 years ago.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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