Screening and Treatment by the Primary Care Provider of Common Diabetes Complications

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, blindness, and nontraumatic lower-limb amputation. The largest reductions in cardiovascular events are seen when multiple risk factors are addressed simultaneously. The benefit of aspirin as secondary prevention in patients with previous stroke or myocardial infarction has been well established. Regular, dilated eye examinations are effective in detecting sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and have been shown to prevent blindness. The use of appropriate tools and clinical examination/inspection provides greater than 87% specificity in detecting diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Early treatment of risk factors, including hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia can delay or prevent diabetic nephropathy.