Objective

To determine the chronic microvascular complications in users with type 2 diabetes mellitus in an Andean city in Peru.

Methods

Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Chronic microvascular complications were evaluated in 22 users with type 2 diabetes mellitus: neuropathy was tested using the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score; retinopathy, using dilated biomicroscopy and retinal camera, according to the guidelines of the International Council of Ophthalmology clinical guidelines, and nephropathy, according to the glomerular filtration rate based on the technical guide of the Ministry of Health. Absolute and relative frequencies and chi-square goodness of fit were obtained with 95% confidence and a significant p-value <0.05.

Results

The frequency of neuropathy was 36.4%, of which 75% of older adults and 57.2% of patients with diabetes for 10 years or more had mild or moderate neuropathy. The frequency of retinopathy was 27.3%, of which 57.2% of patients with diabetes for 10 years or more had some degree of retinopathy. The frequency of nephropathy was 4.5%, of which 59.1% were at risk of nephropathy, and 50.0% of older adults had possible diabetic nephropathy.

Conclusion

The most frequent chronic complications in the evaluated users were neuropathy and retinopathy in some degree of development. The difference with the contrasting values of other contexts was statistically significant. Timely and efficient action would slow down the appearance of these complications, giving those affected a more pleasant quality of life.