“A new CDC study shows that rates of five major diabetes-related complications have declined substantially in the last 20 years among U.S. adults with diabetes. The study, Changes in Diabetes Related Complications in the United States, 1990 -2010, published in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, used data from the National Health Interview Survey, National Hospital Discharge Survey, U.S. Renal Data System, and National Vital Statistics System.  The study found that rates of lower limb amputation, end stage kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and deaths due to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) declined between 1990 and 2010.

Other key findings include:

• Cardiovascular complications and deaths from high blood sugar decreased by more than 60% each.
• The rates of both strokes and lower extremity amputations (including upper and lower legs, ankles, feet, and toes) declined by about half.
• Rates for end stage kidney failure fell by about 30%.
• Although all complications declined, the greatest declines in diabetes-related complications occurred for heart attack and stroke, particularly among people 75 years of age and older.”