Overview of Clinical Complications of Diabetes

What are the clinical complications associated with diabetes?

Clinical complications associated with diabetes may include the following:

• cardiovascular disease - Cardiovascular disease, in many cases, is caused by atherosclerosis - an excess build-up of plaque on the inner wall of a large blood vessel, which restricts the flow of blood. Heart disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related deaths. Heart disease and stroke are two to four times more common in persons with diabetes.

• hypertension - High blood pressure affects 73 percent of persons with diabetes.

• dental disease - Periodontal (gum) disease occurs with greater frequency in persons with diabetes.

• retinopathy or glaucoma (eye disease or blindness) - Blindness due to diabetic retinopathy is a more important cause of visual impairment in younger-onset people than in older-onset people. Males with younger-onset diabetes generally develop retinopathy more rapidly than females with younger-onset diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among adults 20 to 74 years of age.

• renal disease (kidney/urinary tract disease - Ten percent to 21 percent of all people with diabetes develop kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a condition in which the patient requires dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live.

• neuropathy (nerve disease) - Approximately 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage. Severe forms of diabetic nerve disease are the major contributing cause of lower-extremity amputations.

• amputation - More than half the amputations in the US occur among people with diabetes.

• diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - DKA is one of the most serious outcomes of poorly controlled diabetes, and primarily occurs in persons with type 1 diabetes. DKA is marked by high blood glucose levels along with ketones in the urine.

Preventing diabetes complications:

Persons with diabetes must stay alert for symptoms that can lead to clinical complications. The best way to do this is to:

• get regular checkups - finding problems early is the best way to keep complications from becoming serious.
  
  
• keep appointments with your physician - even when you are feeling well.
  
  
• be aware of symptoms and warning signs of potential problems, including the following:
  
  
  • vision problems (blurriness, spots)
    
    
  • fatigue
    
    
  • pale skin color
    
    
  • obesity (more than 20 pounds overweight)
    
    
  • numbness or tingling feelings in hands or feet
    
    
  • repeated infections or slow healing of wounds
    
    
  • chest pain
    
    
  • vaginal itching
    
    
  • constant headaches

• carefully self-monitor blood sugar levels several times a day, as directed by your physician.
  
  
• control weight.
  
  
• eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
  
  
• get regular exercise.
  
  
• check your feet every day for even minor cuts or blisters.
  
  
• quit smoking.

Diabetes Care at
Rush University Medical Center

Endocrinologists at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, participate in multidisciplinary care teams with other Rush specialists managing the complex medical and surgical care of patients with diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Working in state-of-the art facilities, using some of the world’s most sophisticated technology, these experts are on the leading edge of diagnosis, treatment and discovery.

In addition, the Rush University Diabetes Center in Chicago has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association for quality self-management education. The center’s team includes a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and nurse practitioner, who educate patients on what they can do to best control their diabetes.

For more information about diabetes care at Rush visit our Endocrinology home page and the Diabetes Center at Rush home page.

Looking for Other Health Information?

• Visit our Health Information home page.
   
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• Visit Discover Rush’s Web Resource page to find articles on health topics and recent health news from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. You will also find many helpful links to other areas of our site.

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Just phone (888) 352-RUSH or (888) 352-7874 for help finding the Rush doctor who’s right for you.

Clinical Trials

Looking for Information About Clinical Trials for Diabetes at Rush?

• Visit the Diabetes Trials home page.

Looking for Information About Clinical Trials for Other Disorders at Rush?

• Visit the Clinical Trials home page.