Renal impairment is the leading microvascular complication associated with type 2 diabetes (over 40%), followed by retinopathy (28.5%) and neuropathy (19.4%)—it is important to recognize these complications as soon as possible1-4
  • Microalbuminuria (albumin in the urine ≥30 mg/day or ≥20 μg/min) is the earliest clinical evidence of renal disease5
  • Regular dilated eye examinations can be effective in detecting vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy6,7
  • Because diabetic neuropathy may be asymptomatic in about 50% of patients, it is important to conduct a physical examination of lower extremities and feet annually6,8

It's important to recognize and screen for microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes as early as possible.7 Effective management of diabetes can help prevent or slow the progression of microvascular complications.

References: 1. Plantinga LC, Crews DC, Coresh J, et al; for the CDC CKD Surveillance Team. Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in US adults with undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010;5(4):673-682. 2. Parving H-H, Lewis JB, Ravid M, Remuzzi G, Hunsicker LG; for the DEMAND Investigators. Prevalence and risk factors for microalbuminuria in a referred cohort of type II diabetic patients: a global perspective. Kidney Int. 2006;69:2057-2063. 3. Zhang X, Saaddine JB, Chou C-F, et al. Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the United States, 2005-2008. JAMA. 2010;304(6):649-656. 4. Gregg EW, Gu Q, Williams D, et al. Prevalence of lower extremity diseases associated with normal glucose levels, impaired fasting glucose, and diabetes among U.S. adults aged 40 or older. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2007;77(3):485-488. 5. American Diabetes Association. Nephropathy in diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2004;27(suppl 1):S79-S83. 6. American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(suppl 1):S11-S61. 7. Fong DS, Aiello LP, Ferris FL, Klein R. Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Care. 2004;27(10):2540-2553. 8. Boulton AJM, Arezzo JC, Malik RZ, et al. Diabetic somatic neuropathies. Diabetes Care. 2004;27(6):1458-1486.