Micro- and macroangiopathies and other chronic degenerative complications in newly detected diabetes mellitus.

The study of 10,000 patients with newly discovered diabetes mellitus registered on the files of the Center of Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases--Bucharest between January 1974 and June 1979, revealed the presence of various types of micro- and macroangiopathies manifested by electrocardiographic alterations on 42.3%, peripheral arteriopathies in 11.2% and diabetic retinopathy in 11.2% cases, as well as renal complications in 14.5% and diabetic neuropathy in 11.62% of the cases. The significance of these complications is discussed in relation to the length of the prediagnostic period and interpreted in the light of modern knowledge concerning the chronic complications of diabetes.