[Prevalence of degenerative complications of diabetes in an outpatient population].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of micro and macro vascular complications among a cohort of diabetic out-patients without proteinuria.

Patients And Methods: It is a cross sectional study of 249 diabetic patients (126 mean and 123 women) 166 with type 2 diabetes and 83 with type 1 diabetes. Patients were recruited according to sex, age and diabetic duration stratification. Mean age was 45.2 +/- 6.6 years and mean duration of diabetic was 8.9 +/- 7 years. Diabetic complications were investigated through a questionnaire, physical examination, ECG eyes fundoscopy and microalbuminuria measured in overnight urine collection.

Results: Prevalence of diabetic micro angiopathy in our population was one of the most frequent in the world. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy were the most frequent complications found in our patients. It was 63.5% for peripheral neuropathy, 43.8% for retinopathy and 25.3% for microalbuminuria. Macro angiopathy, as defined by hypertension, coronary heart diseases (CHD), lower limb arteritis (LLA) or stroke, was found in 24.5% of patients. CHD rate was equal to 14.5% and LLA in 12.4%. Prevalence rates of vascular complications of diabetes were correlated with age, duration and type of diabetes.

Conclusion: Prevention of diabetes complications needs early screening of glucose tolerance abnormalities, better glycemic control, reduction of associated vascular risk factors and identification of genetic factors predisposing to a higher cardiovascular risk.