Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetic Complications in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious global public health issue, leading to considerable morbidity and mortality due to its consequences. Evaluation of the prevalence of diabetes complications and identification of related demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle variables among diabetic patients in Al Baha, KSA was done. In the present study, the influence of these problems on healthcare consumption and expenses was determined and the efficacy of current public health measures in addressing and alleviating these complications was assessed. A cross-sectional analysis was performed on n = 165 diabetic patients, utilizing data obtained from structured questionnaires and medical records. Statistical test ANOVA was performed, and odds ratio was calculated considering the statistical significance cut off p < 0.05. The findings showed that 38.8% of patients experienced one or more diabetes complications, with diabetic retinopathy being the most prevalent at 30.9%, followed by nephropathy at 3.6% and foot ulcers at 1.8%. Elevated HbA1c levels were substantially correlated with the incidence of retinopathy (p = 0.009). Variables like age, gender, and socioeconomic level were identified as influencing the chance of developing problems. The difficulties markedly increased healthcare consumption, resulting in a large surge in related expenses. This study highlights the critical necessity for focused public health initiatives to alleviate the impact of diabetes and enhance patient outcomes in the Al Baha region.