Determinant factors influencing chronic complications of diabetes mellitus in Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia: A Case-Control study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of common metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglcemia, and are caused by a complex interaction of genetics and environmental factors. Diabetes mellitus produces change in the blood vessels and therefore affects almost every part of the body. Objective: The aim of the study was to identify the key factors influencing chronic complications of Diabetes Mellitus among diabetic patients at Dessie Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: An institution-based case control study conducted from February to June 2021 at Dessie Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital and the sample size of this study was 1:4 ratio of cases and controls with 68 cases and 272 controls and 5% non-response rate added and total sample size was 357. Both Cases and controls were selected from diabetic patients with and without chronic complications by consecutive sampling technique respectively. Data were collected through interviewer administered questionnaire and review of patient records. Binary logistic regression model was used to examine the association and all variables with p-value < 0.25 were included in the multivariable analysis. The magnitude of the association was measured by using an Odds Ratio with its 95%CI and p value<0.05. In the final model statistical significance declared at P- value < 0.05 and with 95% confidence interval of AOR. Result: From total respondents, 68 were cases and 272 were controls, with an overall response rate of 95%. Of these respondents, 191(56.2%) males and 149 (43.8%) were females. This study found that being unmarried (AOR=4.5(2.1-9.5)), not having job (AOR=0.2(0.06-0.44)) alcohol drinking (AOR=3.8(1.9-7.6)), physical inactivity (AOR=3.1(1.5-6.4)), DM duration of above 10years (AOR=3.1(1.3-7.2)) and body mass index BMI ≥ 25kg/m2 (AOR=2.3(1.2-4.3)) were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus complications. Conclusion: The study identified that diabetic patients were prone to chronic complications of DM due to specific independent factors like alcohol drinking, physical inactivity diabetes duration more than 10 years and overweight and obese. Our findings emphasize the need to consider these factors in preventing complications and developing targeted interventions.