Relationship between total body water and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The study analyzed the relationship between total body water (TBW), extracellular fluid (ECF), and intracellular fluid (ICF) with microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Tungurahua, Ecuador, in 2023. One hundred and twenty-one patients with T2DM from diabetes clubs, selected by non-probability convenience sampling, were included. Demographic data and data on neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy were collected employing surveys. Body composition was measured with electrical bioimpedance. As for the results, 69.9 % of patients had neuropathy, 42.1 % retinopathy, and 9.1 % nephropathy. The Mann-Whitney test showed significant differences in body water levels in neuropathy (TBW: p = 0.018, ICF: p = 0.022, ECF: p = 0.014), while in retinopathy (TBW: p = 0.883, ICF: p = 0.910, ECF: p = 0.885) and nephropathy (TBW: p = 0.975, ICF: p = 0.868, ECF: p = 0.857) no differences were found. A negative correlation was observed between age and TBW, ICF and ECF reduction. Males presented higher water volumes than females. TBW, ICF, and ECF are associated with diabetic neuropathy, whereas their relationship with other microvascular complications was not significant. Adequate hydration could play a key role in the management of diabetic neuropathy.