Diabetes mellitus, associated co-morbidities and complications - A review

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results from a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin, which affects carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Patients with diabetes mellitus may also have other comorbidities and complications, which require treatment. This review paper investigates the major comorbid conditions and complications that occur in patients with diabetes, their management and their influence on diabetes therapy. Evidence was gathered by a Medline search of original articles, review papers and theses on the prevalence and management of comorbidities and complications of diabetes as reported in the literature. Keywords included in the search were diabetes mellitus, comorbidities, and complications. Comorbidities and complications occur in every organ system in the body. Diabetic complications include neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease. Their treatment includes the use of multiple medications. This results in poly-pharmacy, with some patients being prescribed as many as sixteen medications. The rational understanding of these comorbidities and complications and their management using recommended guidelines wouldresult in better outcomes.