Microvascular complications and the associated factors among adult diabetic out-patients in a county teaching and referral hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Data on the magnitude of microvascular complications and the associated factors is scarce in resource-limited settings. A descriptive cross-sectional was carried out among 100 adult diabetic outpatients at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya to determine the prevalence, management and the factors associated with development of microvascular complications. Results showed the prevalence rates of neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy were 58.0%, 26.0% and 25.0%, respectively. Retinopathy (p=0.001), neuropathy (p=0.016) and nephropathy (p=0.048) were significantly associated with the duration of diabetes. Hypertension (OR=3.457; CI: 0.942-12.686), smoking (OR=3.143CI:1.190-8.308) and consumption of alcohol (OR=2.784, CI: 1.111-6.976), each independently increased the likelihood of development of nephropathy three-fold. Microvascular complications were mainly managed using renin inhibitors (67.0%), anticonvulsants (33.0%) and pyridoxine (30.0%). Results suggest that diabetic patients should be continually advised on lifestyle habits to retard the development of chronic complications. Future studies should correlate the management of complications and their clinical outcomes.