Diagnosis-related Characteristics of Microvascular Complications among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate the diagnosis-related characteristics of the microvascular complications among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to identify the relationship ship between regular check-up and detection of complications of diabetes. METHODS: The study subjects were 63 patients with diabetic microvascular complications. The data were collected with self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The main motive to identify retinopathy was through 'visiting hospital after having symptoms (58.9%)', and not through regular checkup. The most common symptom of retinopathy was dim dye (84.3%) and the mean duration after diabetes mellitus diagnosis was 6.8 years. The main motive to identify renal complications was through 'visiting hospital after having symptoms and checking for other complications (28.0%)'. The most common symptom of renal complications was edema of face and hands (72.0%) and the mean duration following diabetes mellitus diagnosis was 8.4 years. The main motive to identify neuropathy was through 'visiting hospital after having symptoms (34.8%)', and not regular checkup. The most common symptom of neuropathy was tingling sensation of feet (100.0%) and the mean duration following diabetes mellitus diagnosis was 7.4 years. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, we suggest that diabetes complications check-up should be performed simultaneously to make the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and that the health care providers could provide them with more opportunities to have such check-ups with standardized complications care guidelines.