# Cardiometabolic Risk Profiles Associated with Chronic Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Analysis Using Routine Clinical Markers

## TL;DR

People with long-term gut issues tend to have worse heart and metabolic health, even if they don't have obvious weight or diabetes problems.

## Contribution

This study links chronic GI symptoms with cardiometabolic risk using routine clinical markers in an exploratory cross-sectional analysis.

## Key findings

- GI+ group had higher triglycerides, lower HDL-cholesterol, and higher fasting glucose than GI− group.
- A composite metabolic stress score was significantly higher in participants with persistent GI symptoms.
- The association suggests shared metabolic vulnerability between GI symptoms and cardiometabolic risk.

## Abstract

Background: Persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in adults and are often considered functional conditions. Emerging evidence suggests that gastrointestinal function may be intertwined with systemic metabolic regulation, yet the association between chronic GI symptoms and cardiometabolic risk assessed using routine clinical biomarkers remains insufficiently explored. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 93 adults were consecutively enrolled during routine clinical evaluations. Anthropometric parameters, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, and blood pressure were assessed. Participants were classified as having persistent gastrointestinal symptoms (GI+) or being asymptomatic (GI−) based on symptom duration and clinical documentation. A composite metabolic stress score, derived from routinely available biomarkers, was used to summarize multidimensional cardiometabolic burden. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were performed using non-parametric methods. Results: Participants with persistent gastrointestinal symptoms exhibited higher triglyceride levels, lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations, and higher fasting plasma glucose compared with asymptomatic individuals (all p < 0.05). The composite metabolic stress score was significantly higher in the GI+ group, indicating greater overall cardiometabolic burden, while body mass index and HbA1c did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with an unfavorable cardiometabolic profile characterized by atherogenic dyslipidemia and impaired fasting glycemia. An exploratory composite metabolic stress score based on routine clinical biomarkers effectively summarized this pattern. These findings support the biological plausibility of shared metabolic vulnerability between gastrointestinal symptom burden and cardiometabolic risk and highlight the need for longitudinal and mechanistic studies incorporating objective gastrointestinal and metabolic biomarkers.