Prevalence Of Diabetic Complications In Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients In Pakistan: Findings From National...

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Pakistan.

In this multicentre, observational, cross-sectional disease registry, patients (aged ≥18 years) who were diagnosed at enrolment with T2DM, defined by fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥126 mg/dL and/or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5%, were enrolled. Microvascular complications were ascertained by objective examination while macrovascular complications were identified from patients' medical history. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Data from 891 patients were analysed in the study. Mean [±standard deviation (SD)] HbA1c, FBG, and random blood glucose were 9.9% (±2.2%), 193.4 (±74.0) mg/dL, and 294.3 (±72.7) mg/dL, respectively. Obesity (n=689, 77.3%) and familial history of diabetes (n=575, 64.3%) were the most common risk factors for T2DM. Overall prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications was 68.6% [n=611, 95% confidence interval (CI): 65.4-71.5] and 9.0% (n=80, 95% CI: 7.3-11.0), respectively. Neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy were reported in 59.6% (95% CI: 56.3-62.8), 24.4% (95% CI: 21.6-27.2), and 15.9% (95% CI: 13.7-18.5) of the patients, respectively. Oral antidiabetic agents and insulin were prescribed to 839 (94.2%) and 140 (15.7%) patients, respectively. All study patients received education on T2DM management, mostly from the investigators, and also from diabetes educators and nurses.

The prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications of T2DM is high, indicating a delay in diagnosis of disease. In order to counter the burden of diabetic complications, optimum strategies for screening of the general population are required.