Diabetes-Related Microvascular Complications in Primary Health Care Settings in the West Bank, Palestine

Worldwide, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy are the major diabetes-related microvascular complications. In Palestine, a low-middle-income country, diabetes is the fourth reason for death. However, a few studies examined diabetes microvascular consequences and its management. Therefore, we carried out a national study that aims to investigate the factors associated with diabetes-related microvascular complications among individuals seeking care in primary healthcare settings of the West Bank of Palestine.

Using a cluster systematic sampling technique, 882 participants with diabetes patients were chosen for a cross-sectional study from primary healthcare facilities operated by the Ministry of Health (PMoH), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS). Data about patients related to diabetes-related complications, medication use, and other diseases were extracted from patients' medical records. In addition, an interview face-to-face questionnaire was used to collect information about patients' sociodemographic variables, medical history, smoking habits, duration of the disease, presence of concurrent conditions previous referrals, and hospital admissions, as well as their level of knowledge regarding diabetes, complications, and treatments.

Approximately 34.4% of persons with diabetes patients in Palestine encounter at least one microvascular complication associated with diabetes. The most prevalent diabetes-related microvascular complication was retinopathy (17.3%), 23.4% of participants had more than one microvascular complication, and 29% of male patients had erectile dysfunction. A higher probability of having any microvascular complications was associated with older age (over 60 years). Participants with diabetes patients with fundoscopy or ophthalmology reports, according to diabetes follow-up guidelines, were less likely to develop retinopathy. Also, those who performed regular kidney function testing were less likely to have nephropathy, and those who performed a regular foot exam were less likely to develop diabetic foot.

Diabetes-related microvascular complications were associated with patient age, low education level, residency location, and adherence to diabetes follow-up guidelines of diabetes management; i.e., having been tested for HbA1c, consulting with specialists, regular kidney function, and foot examination. These factors can be utilized in setting up proper management protocols to prevent or delay microvascular complications in many patients.