Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease

You are more likely to develop complications from type 2 diabetes if you:

• Have persistently high blood sugar over time. The higher your blood sugar and the longer it remains too high, the greater your risk for developing complications.
• Have the disease for a long time. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop complications, even if blood sugar levels are controlled.
  • Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) develops in 20% to 30% of people with type 2 diabetes.⁴
  • Diabetic retinopathy (eye disease) develops in more than 60% of people with type 2 diabetes by 20 years after diagnosis.⁵
  • Most people with diabetes develop some diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) over the years, but only about 13% to 15% have noticeable symptoms.⁶
• Already have one complication. Having one complication from diabetes increases your risk for developing other complications.
• Have other risk factors. Smoking, psychiatric disorders (such as depression), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of diabetic complications may increase your risk for developing a complication. Not having health insurance coverage for supplies and other medical expenses related to diabetes care can contribute to poorer control of the disease and the development of complications.