Correlation Between Extracutaneous Microvascular Complications and Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is taking an epidemic proportion around the world. The occurrence of microvascular complications and diabetic foot ulcer is associated with an increased mortality and morbidity incidence, which is the most serious complication of this disease, which significantly reduce the quality of patient life. OBJECTIVE. The aim of the study was to determine the correlation of extracutaneous microvascular complications with diabetic foot ulcer in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHOD. The study was prospective, and included 160 patients with type 2 diabetes. It was conducted at the University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska in the period from January 2016 until December 2019. The respondents were adults, of both sexes, suffering from type 2 diabetes, in whom complications of this disease are present. Glycemic control was established based on a target HbA1c value of 7%. RESULTS. Of the 160 patients in the study, 53.8% were men and 46.2% were women. The average age of the patients was 70.11%±10.05 years. Extracutaneous microvascular complications were present in 85 patients (53.1%); of which 30.2% had well-regulated glycemia (HbA1c≤7.0%), while 61.5% (p<0.001) had unregulated glycemia (HbA1c≥7.0). Polyneuropathy was present in 23.3% of patients with HbA1c≤7.0%, while 41.0% of patients had HbA1c≥7.0% (p<0.043). Nephropathy with HbA1c≤7.0% was present in 36.8% of cases compared to patients with HbA1c≥7.0 in whom the prevalence was 36.8% (p<0.004). Out of total, 25.6% had retinopathy with HbA1c≤7.0%, while in 41.9% of patients with HbA1c≥7.0% (p <0.067). Diabetic ulcer foot was present in 13 patients with HbA1c≥7 (11.1%) compared to patients with HbA1c≤7.0% where there was no occurrence of this complication 0.0% (p<0.021). At the same time, 5.6% of patients had a diabetic foot ulcer with polyneuropathy (p=0.010), 4.4% had neuropathy (p=0.058) and 5.6% had retinopathy (p=0.014). CONCLUSION: The high incidence of extracutaneous microvascular complications and diabetic foot ulcer in patients with type 2 diabetes requires a multidisciplinary approach of medical professionals that includes prevention of risk factors and good regulation of glycemia.