Spectrum of diabetic lesions: An autopsy study

Abstract

Background: The aim of our study was to study the gross morphological changes, histopathology, prevalence, and characteristics of pathological lesions in various organs in patients of diabetes mellitus; to determine the contribution of diabetes to mortality; and to study complications of diabetes mellitus in the cases studied. Materials and Methods: Ours was a descriptive cross-sectional study of a five-year duration carried out at a tertiary care hospital. A complete medical autopsy was done of all the cases; all organs were examined grossly and microscopically, and their details were recorded. Results: A total of 137 patients with diabetes were studied at autopsy. Overall, 32.8% of the patients with diabetes were in the age group of 61–70 years, with a female:male ratio of 1.2:1. The highest frequency of deaths was due to diseases of the cardiovascular system (39%), whereas both septicemia and diseases of the respiratory system followed as a close second (37%). Overall, 10.94% patients died due to diseases of the central nervous system. Conclusion: The global burden of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide, and it is necessary to have an improved understanding of its etiology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology to focus therapeutic and research efforts appropriately to reduce its effects on lives and economies.

Keywords

• autopsy study
• cardiovascular disease
• diabetes