2002 Volume 45 Issue 5 Pages 311-317
We surveyed the prevalence and status of chronic diabetic complications in patients with diabetes mellitus visiting principal provincial diabetes clinics in Kochi Prefecture in 1999. To reduce possible bias and obtain accurate information, we selected patients based on systematic random sampling and inquired about their conditions by a questionnaire prepared for this study. The mean age of the 387 subjects surveyed was 61.2 (± 12.2) years, diabetes duration was 11.0 (± 7.8) years, and recent HbA1c was 7.3 (± 1.5)%. Among these patients, diabetic retinopathy was observed in 33.8% and overt proteinuria was positive in 20.6%. Patients who had at least 1 subjective symptoms related to diabetic polyneuropathy numbered in 71.2%, and 63.3% had at least 1 objective sign of diabetic neuropathy. In contrast, based on the recently proposed diagnostic criteria for diabetic neuropathy, 37.8% of the patients were diagnosed with diabetic polyneuropath (DPN). Of these, DPN prevalence showed a significant positive correlation with diabetes duration, severity of renal and retinal complications, and symptoms such as numbness, spontaneous pain, and paresthesis of feet and signs such as decreased Achilles and/or patella tendon reflex, abnormal vibration, touch, and pain in the feet.
