Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease

What Increases Your Risk for Complications

You are more likely to develop complications from type 2 diabetes if you:

• Have persistently high blood sugar over time. The higher your blood sugar and the longer it remains too high, the greater your risk for developing complications.
• Have the disease for a long time. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop complications, even if blood sugar levels are controlled.
  • Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) develops in 20% to 30% of people with type 2 diabetes.³
  • Diabetic retinopathy (eye disease) develops in more than 60% of people with type 2 diabetes by 20 years after diagnosis.⁴
  • Most people with diabetes develop some diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) over the years, but only about 13% to 15% have noticeable symptoms.⁵
• Already have one complication. Having one complication from diabetes increases your risk for developing other complications.
• Have other risk factors. Smoking, psychiatric disorders (such as depression), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of diabetic complications may increase your risk for developing a complication. Not having health insurance coverage for or money to buy medicines, supplies, and other medical expenses related to diabetes care can contribute to poorer control of the disease and the development of complications. If you are having a hard time covering the cost of your medicines or supplies, check with the Canadian Diabetes Association or your provincial or territorial government about financial assistance and support programs and services that are available.

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Author:	Alison Allen Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: November 14, 2007
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
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