Chronic Diabetes Complications: The Need to Move beyond Classical Concepts

Abstract

Chronic-diabetes-related complications simultaneously compromise both the micro- and macrovascular trees, with target organs considered as the paradigm of large vessel injury also entailing microangiopathic changes. However, complications independent or partially independent from vascular damage are often overlooked. This includes neuronal dysfunction (e.g., retinal neurodegeneration), interstitial injury (e.g., tubulointerstitial disease), metabolic damage (e.g., in the heart and liver), and nonclassical conditions such as cognitive decline, impaired pulmonary function, or increased risk of cancer. In this scenario, researchers, endocrinologists and primary care physicians should have a holistic view of the disease and pay further attention to all organs and all potential clinical repercussions, which would certainly contribute to a more rational and integrated patient health care.

Keywords: angiopathy; diabetes mellitus; long-term complications; multisystemic disease; neuropathy.