Pattern of long-term complications in Sudanese insulin-treated diabetic patients

The prevalence of long-term micro- and macrovascular complications was studied in 128 (M/F; 62:66) Sudanese insulin-treated diabetic patients aged 15-75 years and with > or = 1 year duration. Patients were recruited from the out-patient clinics of the general hospitals in three States in Sudan. Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured to assess the degree of metabolic control. The prevalence of microvascular complications was, retinopathy 43%, nephropathy 22% and neuropathy 37%. For macrovascular complications the prevalence was, cardiovascular disease 28%, peripheral vascular disease 10% and cerebrovascular accidents 5.5%. The overall prevalence of long-term complications was 67%. Patients with these complications were significantly older (P < 0.005), had longer disease duration (P < 0.001), and had higher serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentration (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). The glycaemic control was adequate in only 12.5% of the patients, and was not related to the prevalence of complications. Sudanese diabetic patients are more prone to both microvascular and macrovascular complications than previously reported. More attention from the patients and clinicians is required and all efforts should be made to reduce the incidence of these complications.