Description
Background
Globally 537 million adults (20-79 years) are living with diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes in Kenya estimated to be 3.1% in 2019 and projected to rise to 4.4% by 2035. Uncontrolled Diabetes is associated with comorbidities and complications with increased risks of morbidity and mortality.
We assessed diabetes control, comorbidities, and complications among people living with diabetes at Homabay County Teaching and Referral Hospital from November 2023 to November 2024.
Methodology
We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who attended diabetic clinic at HBCTRH. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected using Microsoft Excel. Sociodemographic variables of interest were age and sex while clinical outcomes were diagnosis time, diabetic control, complications, and comorbidities. Other clinical variables included in the analysis were HbA1c, fasting/random blood sugar and blood pressure measurements. We did descriptive analytics using SPSS and assessed prevalence of complications and comorbidities
Results
A total of 268 diabetic records were reviewed during this period with 88.8% being diagnosed > 6 months ago. The mean age was 58 SD± 13.8 and females accounted for 65.7 %. Good glycemic control was achieved in 53.3 % (120/225) of the patients, 54% had high blood pressure reading at the last visit. 85.4% of the clients were oral glycemic lowering agents and 10.4% were living with HIV. 65.7% of patients had hypertension, 12.7% had peripheral neuropathy, 6.7% had Diabetic foot, 6.7% had CCF, 5.2% had renal disease and 3.4% had CVA.
Conclusion
More than half of the diabetic patients had good glycemic control. Hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are the most common complications. Diabetic foot was the leading cause of client disability following amputations.
Recommendations
Better glycemic client control should be achieved to reduce the burden of complications among diabetes patients. Regular screening for complications and preventive measures to delay or prevent occurrence of the complications.
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Government of Kenya |
| Position | Registered Clinical Officer -Chronic Disease Management |
| Received a Grant? | No |
