Prevalence and predictors of type 2 diabetes complications: a single centre observation

Diabetes complications are a major burden on persons living with diabetes and the health care systems.

The study assessed the glycemic control, prevalence and predictors of type 2 diabetes complications among patients in a healthcare centre.

Two hundred adults who had type 2 diabetes in a general hospital were recruited for the study. Cross-sectional and retrospective surveys were used to determine prevalence, number and types of complications in the patients. SPSS version 21 was used for descriptive analysis and Chi-square (p<0.05).

A total of 200 (100%) respondents participated in the study and 97 (48.5%) had poor glycemic control. Mean number of complications per patient was 2.48 ± 1.22. Number of complications per person and type of complications were significantly associated with Age (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively), Gender (p = 0.008 and p = 0.031, respectively) and Occupation (p=0.000 and p=0.006, respectively). Marital status (p = 0.032) and years of diagnosis (p=0.021) were also associated with type of complications. The majority of patients 64 (32.0%) were admitted in the previous year for diabetes-related complications. Majority 159 (79.5%) had ≥ 2 number of complications from the observed 497 complications.

Poor glycemic control and high prevalence of complications were observed. Also, socio-demographic characteristics were likely predictors of number and type of complications. These findings are essential for improved planning and prioritizing of diabetes care.