Diabetes and its long-term complications in general practice: a survey in a well-defined population

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of long-term complications in all patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, who were known to their general practitioners (GPs). During one year 19 GPs in the area of Hoogeveen in the Netherlands examined their non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM) patients, including those under specialist's care. A detailed protocol was used; the GPs were trained in the diagnostic procedures. Complications were either already known from the records or newly discovered during screening. In a population of 41,940 14.5/1000 patients with diabetes were identified: 12/1000 NIDDM and 2.5/1000 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Of the 509 NIDDM patients, 387 (76%) could be screened for late complications. Signs and symptoms of late complications were found in many patients: retinopathy (14%), nephropathy (57%), neuropathy (68%) and macroangiopathy (53%). The prevalence of serious complications was: proliferative retino- and maculopathy (3.3%); diabetic foot (2.6%); renal failure (2.5%). The systemic screening revealed a high number of previously unknown cases. It is concluded that many patients with NIDDM develop signs and symptoms of late complications. Most cases are identified by systemic screening only. More long-term studies of the prognosis of late complications in NIDDM are needed.