Study of microvascular complications in newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background Objective: Microvascular complications are the major outcome of Diabetes Mellitus progression, which reduce the quality of life, incur heavy economic burdens to the health care system and increase diabetic mortality. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of microvascular complications among newly diagnosed diabetic patients and to analyze the association between these complications and poor glycemic control.Methods: A total of 100 newly diagnosed Diabetic patients admitted in SIMS, Hyderabad over a period of 1 year formed the study population. Detailed clinical examination and relevant investigations were carried out. Neuropathy was diagnosed by Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and 128 HZ tuning fork, Retinopathy by Direct Ophthalmoscopic examination of fundus, Nephropathy by ACR estimation and cardiomyopathy by Echo cardiography.Results: The total of 100 patients with newly diagnosed DM were studied out of which 52% were males and 48% females. The mean age duration was found to be 48.99±10.31% of the patients presented with classical symptoms of DM, 30% with symptoms due to microvascular complications and 4% were asymptomatic. 44% of newly diagnosed diabetics had positive family history. Out of 100 newly diagnosed diabetics 80% of the patients were overweight, 20% were normal weight. 100% of females had central obesity compare to 38.46% in males. 3% of the total patients had some infections at the time of diagnosis of DM. 18% of the patients had peripheral neuropathy. 18% of the patients had Retinopathy at the time of diagnosis of DM in which mild NPDR is more common accounting for 14%. 4% of the patients had PDR. 18% of the patients had diabetic nephropathy at the time of diagnosis of DM with 14% of them having incipient nephropathy and 4% of the patients had diabetic cardiomyopathy at the time of diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.Conclusion: 50% of the newly diagnosed diabetics had microvascular complications. Hence microvascular complications at the time of diagnosis of DM were high in our cases which signals physicians to have serious awareness about these unusual presentations and helps in concentrating on further evaluation and appropriate intensive control of diabetes to prevent further complications.