Association between microvascular complications and glycated hemoglobin in patients with diabetes

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of microvascular complications in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in relation to glycated hemoglobin. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study analyzed the prevalence of microvascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus registered at the Primary Health Center Banja Luka. Demographic data, duration of diabetes, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, dyslipidemia, type of therapy, presence of retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy were analyzed. Data collection was done from December 2017 to November 2018. Results. The study included 228 patients, 132 (57.9%) men and 96 (42.1%) women. The most common microvascular complication was diabetic neuropathy (24.2%). The mean glycated hemoglobin level in patients with diabetic complications was 7.75 ? 1.66%. Although all participants with complications had unregulated diabetes mellitus (glycated hemoglobin > 7%), a statistically significant difference was found in regard to microalbuminuria (> 30 mg/24 h) and/or proteinuria (> 0.15 g/24 h) and/or decreased creatinine clearance (< 1.5 ml/sec) and their mean glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.025), while for other complications (neuropathy and retinopathy) the same was not confirmed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that microalbuminuria and/or proteinuria and/or decreased creatinine clearance (odds ratio = 2.174; 95% confidence interval: 1.040 - 4.543; p = 0.039) as well as elevated diastolic blood pressure (odds ratio = 1.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.024 - 1.162; p = 0.007) were factors associated with glycated hemoglobin > 7%. Conclusion. The most common microvascular complication in patients with both types of diabetes mellitus is diabetic neuropathy with a prevalence of 24.2%. The presence of microalbuminuria and/or proteinuria and/ or decreased creatinine clearance were associated with glycated hemoglobin > 7% and elevated diastolic blood pressure.