Based on cohort studies, people with diabetes have a relative risk of microvascular complications that is at least 10 to 20 times higher than people without diabetes, while the relative risk of macrovascular complications is 2 to 4 times higher.

The source evidence on type 2 diabetes complications states that, compared with people without diabetes, the relative risk of microvascular complications (such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) is at least 10 to 20 times higher, and the relative risk of macrovascular complications (such as stroke, angina, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease) is 2 to 4 times higher. These estimates come from cohort studies and reflect the increased risk posed by raised glucose levels and associated metabolic conditions, including hypertension and dyslipidaemia.

Key points

Microvascular complications are at least 10 to 20 times more likely in people with diabetes than in those without diabetes.
Macrovascular complications are 2 to 4 times more likely in people with diabetes compared with those without diabetes.
These relative risk estimates are based on cohort studies and apply to type 2 diabetes in the source text.
The increased risk is linked to hyperglycaemia and associated cardiometabolic factors such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia.

What is the relative risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications in people with diabetes compared to those without?

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