Micro-and macrovascular complications among Greenlanders and Danes with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Nuuk, Greenland

Abstract

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of micro-and macrovascular complications and risk factors among Greenlanders and Danes with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Nuuk, Greenland. Study design. Observational and cross-sectional study, based on a review of medical records and patient interviews. Methods. Review of the electronic medical records and interviews obtained from T2DM patients connected to the Center of Primary Health Care in Nuuk. Results. A total of 123 patients (81 Greenlanders and 42 Danes) with T2DM for a mean of 6 years were included. Fifty-seven percent of the Greenlanders were diagnosed within the last 3 years. Ninety-one percent of the patients had BMI≥25 kg/m², 42% had 1 or more first-degree relatives with diabetes, 43% were current smokers, 69% were categorized as leading a very physically active lifestyle and 60% described a healthy diet pattern. Sixty-eight percent of all the patients suffered from at least 1 complication -51% neuropathy, 14% retinopathy, 10% macrovascular complication and 43% microalbuminuria. The number of complications was significantly correlated to the duration of diabetes (p=0.008) and low physical activity (p=0.037). Retinopathy was correlated to Danish ethnicity (p=0.020). Conclusion. The majority of the Greenlandic patients (57%) were diagnosed within the last 3 years, which may indicate either the beginning of an epidemic or an increased awareness of T2DM, or both. The high prevalence of microvascular complications and risk factors such as smoking and microalbuminuria are a matter of concern. Efforts to reduce smoking and increase physical activity could be considered as prime targets for initiatives.

Prevalence of patients treated with anti-diabetic medicine in Greenland and Denmark. A cross-sectional register study

“…Thus, in both Denmark and Greenland, around a quarter of patients diagnosed with diabetes do not receive anti-diabetic medicine [21,22]. Thus, a prevalence based on anti-diabetic medicine will tend to underestimate the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes.…”

Microvascular complications and its predictors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Dessie town hospitals, Ethiopia

“…The commonest type 2 DM microvascular complications are retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy that are present at the time of patient diagnosis [ 4 , 11 ]. Chronic diabetes prone to lose more than half of the direct health costs following complications [ 12 ]. Indeed, they are eligible to develop disability, accelerate mortality and fail to avail work on regular basis due to the illness [ 1 , 8 , 13 ].…”

“…Globally, around 1/5th (18.8%) of type 2 diabetes mellitus developed microvascular complications [ 14 ], and this proportion was increased to 45% in middle east [ 15 ] and 47.8% in African diabetes [ 16 ]. In particular, different studies were conducted in different countries and revealed varying prevalence which is supported in USA 77% [ 17 ], Brazil 41.6% [ 18 ], China 57.5% [ 19 ], Spain 25.2% [ 20 ], Bangladesh 50.4% [ 21 ], Greenland 68% [ 12 ], Kuwait 61.6% [ 22 ], Saudi Arabia 35.4% [ 23 ], and Ghana 35.3% [ 24 ].…”

Impact of Hypoglycemia on Health-Related Quality of Life among Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Thailand

“…Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic and progressive disease with serious long-term micro- and macrovascular complications [1] resulting in an increase in morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and a decrease in HRQoL. There are several treatments for diabetes, with the most common treatment regimen being the prescription of oral antihyperglycemic agents and insulin therapy which consequently induce hypoglycemia.…”