Pattern of Microangiopathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Attending Suez Canal University Hospital

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing global diseases of the 21st century. Today, more than half a billion people worldwide live with diabetes, with type 2 diabetes accounting for over 90% of cases. Aim and Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the impact of blood glucose control on the development of diabetic complications. The main objectives were to detect the pattern of microangiopathy in type 2 diabetic patients and to analyze factors associated with its development. Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the endocrinology and nephrology outpatient clinics of Suez Canal University Hospitals. Ninety (n=90) patients who met the inclusion criteria were included and assessed through personal interviews and a study questionnaire. Results: 62.2% (n=56) of the diabetic patients had microangiopathy. Specifically, 35.6% had various stages of retinopathy, 62.2% had neuropathy, and 35.6% had nephropathy (micro-albuminuria). Additionally, early-stage chronic kidney disease (eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m2) was present in 34.4% (n=31) of patients. Conclusion: Microvascular complications were present in over half of the diabetic patients, with neuropathy being the most prevalent, followed by nephropathy and retinopathy. Sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, residency, and educational level did not significantly affect the presence of microvascular complications. However, factors significantly associated with microvascular complications included poor housing, long duration of diabetes, uncontrolled diabetes, irregular drug use, fatty diet, obesity, high 2-hour Postprandial Glucose, high total cholesterol, and high Low-Density Lipoprotein.