The prevalence of macro and microvascular complications of DM among patients in Ethiopia 1990-2017: Systematic review

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been growing rapidly in the world. It is smashing particularly the lower and middle income countries (LMICs) severely. Due to its acute and chronic complications many lives have fallen under its bad shadow. Therefore, we aimed to review the existing evidence on major types and specific complications of DM among diabetic patients in Ethiopia.

Methods: Both relevant quantitative and qualitative studies, conducted after 1990s, investigated and reported DM and complications from MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, DAOJ and Cochrane library databases were explored. In addition, System for Information for grey literature in Europe (SINGLE) database was investigated for the existence of unpublished grey literature. Total of 161 titles were identified and 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings were narrated descriptively.

Results: In this review 17 studies were included, and both macro and micro complications were summarized. Among the diabetic complications retinopathy, nephropathy, metabolic syndrome, impotence and depression were the main findings among diabetic patients in Ethiopia.

Conclusion: The burden of DM and its microvascular and macrovascular complications have been increasing among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. The increased duration of the diseases, lower socio economic level, existence of other complications, old age attributed the diabetic complications. Therefore, close monitoring and follow up of diabetic patients is necessary to reduce the incidence and prevalence of diabetic complications among the patients.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Ethiopia; Non communicable diseases; Vascular complications.