Prevalence and Correlation of Gastrointestinal Symptoms With Glycemic Control in Pediatric Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common form of diabetes in children and adolescents. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, are increasingly recognized as complications that may worsen disease management. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence of GI symptoms in pediatric patients with T1DM and to assess their correlation with glycemic control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over a six-month period at King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Fifty-four patients aged 3-14 years with T1DM were evaluated. Data on GI symptoms and glycemic control, categorized by HbA1c (<7% vs ≥7%), were collected from electronic medical records and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: GI symptoms were reported in 88.9% of patients, with a prevalence of 97.9% among those with uncontrolled diabetes, compared to 28.6% in those with controlled diabetes. Diarrhea (77.8%) and abdominal pain (66.7%) were the most frequent symptoms. Elevated HbA1c was significantly associated with abdominal pain (p = 0.002) and diarrhea (p = 0.001). Diet compliance correlated strongly with glycemic control (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GI symptoms are highly prevalent in children with poorly controlled T1DM. Regular screening for GI complaints and early intervention are essential to improve glycemic outcomes and quality of life. Longitudinal studies are required to clarify the causal relationship between glycemic control and GI symptoms.