Prevalence of Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: Intermittent claudication mainly attributable to peripheral arterial disease is the experiencing of pain in legs, especially calf muscles, during walking and diabetic peripheral neuropathies are the commonest sequelae of diabetes mellitus. Diabetic peripheral neuropathies affect up to 50% of US patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the current study was to know about the prevalence of complications in type 2 diabetics in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: The study was conducted at Shaikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, from 2008 to 2010. A total of 150 patients, aged ≥40 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus, were selected from the Diabetic Clinic, Cardiology Unit, and Biochemistry Department of the Institute. The subjects were equally divided into uncomplicated (n=75) and complicated (n=75) groups. Blood pressures, ABI, BMI and neurological symptoms of each patient were recorded consequently. The ‘Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire’ was used to assess intermittent claudication. The urine of each patient was tested for microalbuminuria to label him as complicated type 2 diabetic or otherwise. Results: In both groups about 8% individuals experienced generalised pain and 3% felt numbness. Tingling sensations in the uncomplicated group were experienced by none but 2.7% of the individuals in the complicated group complained about the ailment. No patient was suffering from intermittent claudication in the uncomplicated group but 6.7% of the individuals in the complicated group reported the problem. This was the only complaint where the difference between the groups was significant statistically (p<0.05). Conclusion: The occurrence of complications particularly intermittent claudication in type 2 diabetics is more frequent compared to uncomplicated type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.