Risk factors associated with microvascular complications among type 2 diabetic patients at tertiary center in Malaysia

Background: Microvascular complications of diabetes are common and are the cause of significant morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and to determine risk factors related to microvascular complications among type 2 diabetes outpatients. Methods: The study design was an observational, prospective longitudinal follow-up study. The study was conducted with a sample of 1077 type 2 diabetes mellitus outpatient recruited by attending the diabetes centers at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in Kelantan. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent variables that affect the development of microvascular complications. Results: The prevalence of microvascular complications was 95.4%. Statistical analysis by performing logistic regression was done to determine the risk factors. The findings from this study indicated that the factors affecting microvascular complications are age (OR = 1.27; p = 0.001), triglycerides (OR =4.35 at p <0.001), and creatinine clearance (CrCl) rate at the third visit (OR=1.15 at p <0.001). Conclusion: A high percentage of microvascular complications among type 2 diabetic patients. The progression of microvascular complications is influenced by three independent risk factors, such as age, triglycerides at the fourth visit and creatinine clearance rate at the third visit. Diabetic microvascular disease is a serious diabetic complication and public health strategies are required to reduce its risk factors and decrease its prevalence.