International Journal of Diabetes & its Complications
ISSN: 2573-8895 | DOI: 10.64030/2573-8895
Mahnoor, Haleema Shafiq, Bilal Ahmad, Muhammad Ibrahim and Hajra Bano
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is an escalating public health crisis affecting millions worldwide, including a significant number of individuals in Pakistan. It is a chronic, non-curable condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to severe and often fatal health complications. Recognizing the pressing need to address diabetes-related issues in Pakistan, our research aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of complications associated with type 2 diabetes among hospitalized patients in Faisalabad.
Main Problem to Solve: Complications from diabetes can have devastating effects on patients’ health, leading to reduced quality of life and increased healthcare costs. In Pakistan, data on the prevalence and management of these complications is limited. Therefore, the primary problem our study sought to solve was to quantify the burden of chronic complications from diabetes in Faisalabad and identify risk factors associated with these complications.
Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of hospitalizations due to microvascular (e.g., nephropathy, retinopathy) and macrovascular complications (e.g., cardiovascular diseases) of type 2 diabetes at tertiary care hospitals in Faisalabad. Additionally, we sought to identify the risk factors that contribute to these complications.
Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Allied Hospitals 1 and 2 in Faisalabad over a six-week period in 2023. Ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Ethics Review Board. We analyzed medical charts of patients diagnosed with chronic complications of diabetes. We initially estimated a sample size of 326 patients but expanded it to 549 to achieve a better representation of the population. The data collected included patient demographics, duration of diabetes, complications, and management strategies. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software to explore the associations between variables.
Results: Our findings revealed that in 2023, 2,112 patients were hospitalized with chronic diabetic complications, with our study focusing on 549 of these cases. The most common complications identified were:
• Nephropathy: Present in 305 patients (55.6%)
• Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD): 147 patients (26.8%)
• Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA): 134 patients (24.4%)
• Limb Ischemia: 123 patients (22.4%)
The patient population had a median age of 56 years, with a very similar male-to-female ratio. Notably, a high prevalence of hypertension (76%) was identified among patients. Moreover, 71 patients succumbed to complications during their hospital stay. We observed strong correlations between complications and risk factors such as duration of diabetes and poor management practices. In particular, the study indicated that longer durations of diabetes significantly increased the risk for nephropathy and IHD.
Conclusion: This research highlights the urgent need for focused interventions targeting diabetes management and early detection of complications in Faisalabad. The high incidence of nephropathy, cardiovascular diseases, and other complications underscores a significant public health concern. By identifying the risk factors associated with these complications, our study aims to inform healthcare providers and policymakers, enabling the development of targeted strategies to improve diabetes care in the region. Continued efforts should be made to educate patients about managing their condition and mitigating risks. Awareness campaigns focusing on lifestyle modifications, regular health check-ups, and adherence to treatment regimens are essential to improving outcomes for individuals with diabetes. Ultimately, our findings contribute to the understanding of diabetes complications in Pakistan and can serve as a foundational basis for further research and policy development for better diabetes management in the country.