Micro- and Macrovascular Complications of Type 2 Diabetes in Southern Iran

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common diseases worldwide, imposing a great burden on the community by its complications. This study evaluates micro-and macrovascular complications of T2DM and the associated factors in the south of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on T2DM patients referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in Bandar Abbas City, Iran, in 2018. Patients’ age, sex, marital status, smoking status, diabetes medications, cardiovascular disease, and duration of T2DM were recorded. Weight, height, and blood pressure were measured and body mass index was calculated for every participant. Also, all patients were evaluated regarding diabetes complications, including retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Serum fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin, creatinine levels as well as urinary albumin were also measured in the patients. Results: Of the 263 T2DM patients included in the current study with a mean age of 55.32±13.09 years, 109 (41.4%) were male. The most common T2DM complications were chronic kidney disease (CKD) (49.8%) and nephropathy (36.5%), followed by neuropathy (30.8%), retinopathy (19%) and ischemic heart disease (8.7%). Elevated systolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with the presence of all complications. Patients with ischemic heart disease, CKD, neuropathy, and retinopathy were significantly older than subjects without such complications. Diabetes was significantly more prolonged in patients with ischemic heart disease and CKD. Elevated FPG was only correlated with CKD (P=0.019) and nephropathy (P=0.003), while increased glycated hemoglobin and decreased high-density lipoprotein were significantly associated with retinopathy (P=0.050 and P=0.001, respectively). Moreover, a significant relationship was observed between elevated urinary albumin with retinopathy and neuropathy. Discussion: Diabetic kidney disease was the most common complication of T2DM in the current study. Increased systolic blood pressure is the most important risk factor for the development of diabetic complications.