Hypoglycemia-like symptoms after restorative proctocolectomy for UC: a preliminary study.

This study was conducted to explore the hypoglycemia-like symptoms sometimes noted after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. Eighty-three patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy at least 1 year before December 2001 (staged procedure, n = 50; one-staged procedure, n = 33) were requested to answer three questionnaires at the stage of temporary diverting ileostomy and/or after completion of the operation (after stoma closure). The questionnaires evaluated the presence of 18 items of hypoglycemia-like symptoms, subject recognition of the cause, and whether the symptoms were improved after eating or drinking. Seven subjects (14%) experienced at least one of the three items considered to be specific symptoms of hypoglycemia ("cold sweats," "trembling of hands," and "extreme desire for sweets") at the stage of temporary ileostomy. Ten (20%) and 9 (27.3%) subjects experienced those specific symptoms at the stage after completion of the operation by staged procedure and by one-staged procedure, respectively. There was no significant difference between the stages. Hypoglycemia-like symptoms were found to be experienced in a considerable number of patients after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis.