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Which long-term complications can result from diabetes mellitus?

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Long-term complications of diabetes mellitus primarily arise from chronic damage to blood vessels and nerves. These are categorized into vascular and nonvascular complications.12

Vascular Complications

Vascular damage affects both large and small vessels:
* Large-vessel disease: Accelerated atherosclerosis can lead to myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Reduced blood flow to the feet may cause ulceration, gangrene, and potential amputation.12
* Small-vessel disease (microangiopathy): Thickening of capillaries and small arteries leads to diabetic retinopathy (a leading cause of blindness) and diabetic nephropathy (a primary cause of end-stage kidney disease).12

Nonvascular Complications

Neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy, particularly symmetric polyneuropathy, causes numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. Autonomic neuropathy can result in erectile dysfunction, postural hypotension, and bladder or gastric dysfunction.1
Ocular issues: Patients are at increased risk for cataract formation.1

Managing hyperglycemia, hypertension, and lipid levels is essential to slowing the progression of these conditions.1