Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction (GAD) is a common complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) leading to gastroparesis, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, consequently affecting the overall quality of life. However, its prevalence and risk factors remain underexplored, particularly in low-resource settings like Zanzibar. This study assessed the prevalence of GAD and its associations with pharmacological, clinical, and lifestyle factors among T2DM patients in Zanzibar using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS 31) questionnaire. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 364 T2DM patients attending clinics in Zanzibar. Participants were recruited from local healthcare facilities, and data were collected through structured interviews. The gastrointestinal subdomain of the COMPASS 31 questionnaire quantified symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed to explore prevalence and associated factors. Results Among 364 participants, 140 (38.4%) had GAD.
