Diabetes Complications and Associated Factors in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Cotonou

Long-term complications are the main sources of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Aims: The aims of the study were to determine the rate of long-term complications in type 2 diabetic patients and to identify factors associated to these complications. Patients and method: Successive type 2 diabetic patients attending the diabetic center were submitted to a questionnaire and to clinical examination. Data were completed by consulting their medical reports. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: In 150 diabetic patients included in the study, the global rate of complications was 78.0%. Specific rate for itch complication investigated was 57.7% for peripheral neuropathy, 75.0% for erectile dysfunction, 20.0% for nephropathy, 36.6% for retinopathy, 40% for macroangiopathy and 8.0% for foot ulcer. Factors significantly associated with high rate of complications were age above or equal to 50 years (p = 0.001), the male gender (p = 0.000), high blood pressure (p = 0.0001), the absence of familial history of diabetes (p = 0.02), the duration of the disease above 5 years (p = 0.001) and high HbA1c level (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed that type 2 diabetic patients followed up in the diabetic center in Cotonou showed a high rate of chronic complications which often occurred in a younger age than in developed countries. Numerous socio-demographic and biological factors were significantly associated with the high rate of complications.