ASSOCIATION OF DURATION OF CONTINUOUS ANTIDIABETIC THERAPY WITH BLOOD PRESSURE AND RENAL FUNCTION IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate changes in blood pressure, renal function, glycemic control, and lipid parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes according to the duration of continuous antidiabetic therapy. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 375 patients with type 2 diabetes receiving continuous antidiabetic therapy were categorized into three groups based on treatment duration: 3–5 years, 5–10 years, and ≥10 years. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting and postprandial glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), urea, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and a standard lipid profile were assessed and compared across groups. Results: Age increased progressively across the treatment-duration groups. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure rose significantly with longer treatment duration, whereas eGFR declined in a consistent stepwise pattern. In contrast, fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, HbA1c, and all conventional lipid parameters showed no significant differences among the groups, despite evidence of suboptimal control across the entire cohort. Conclusions: Longer duration of continuous antidiabetic therapy is associated with higher blood pressure and reduced renal function, even when current glycemic and lipid measures remain broadly comparable. These findings underscore the need for early and intensified cardiorenal risk reduction, particularly in patients receiving continuous therapy for 5 years or longer.