title: KNOWLEDGE OF DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has risen exponentially over the last three decades, with resultant increase in morbidity and mortality mainly due to its complications. Limited data is available regarding the awareness and knowledge about these complications in our population. This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge of diabetic complications in patients with diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Medical B Unit of Department of Medicine Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. All admitted diabetic patients above 15 years of age with duration of diabetes mellitus more than one year were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 96 patients questioned, 58 were females and 38 were males. Mean age was 53.29 +/- 10.821 years while the mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 9.75 +/- 7.729 years. Of the total 76 (79.1%) of the patients were illiterate; 36 (37.50%) had good, 24 (25%) had average and 36 (37.50%) had poor knowledge about diabetic complications. Males and university graduate patients had slightly better knowledge. Between 50-60% patients were aware of different cardiac complications of diabetes mellitus. Awareness regarding other complications was foot ulcer/gangrene 70 (72.91%), poor wound healing 68 (70.83%), stroke 54 (56.25%), renal diseases 64 (66.66%), eye diseases 53 (55.20%), gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal problems 45 (46.87%), diabetic ketoacidosis 55 (57.29%), hypoglycaemia 50 (52.08%), lipid abnormalities 26 (27.08%) and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy ranging from 47-65%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Majority of diabetic patients are unaware of diabetic complications. Therefore, hospital and community based awareness programs should be launched to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes mellitus.
authors.forename: Fahim
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.forename: Ayesha Khan
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Afridi
authors.forename: Fawad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rahim
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashfaq
authors.forename: Sheema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Ghulam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shabbier
authors.forename: Sadiq Ur
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Rahman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult