Which of the following conditions can be a result of long-term uncontrolled diabetes?

Long-term uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a variety of serious health complications due to the effects of elevated blood glucose levels on various organ systems. In particular, both high blood pressure and kidney disease are well-documented complications associated with prolonged poor glycemic control.

Chronic hyperglycemia can damage blood vessels and the nerves that help control the heart and blood vessels, leading to an increased risk of hypertension. This kind of vascular damage can also impair kidney function, leading to diabetic nephropathy, which manifests as kidney disease. The kidneys are particularly vulnerable because high glucose levels can cause damage to the nephrons – the functional units of the kidneys – resulting in proteinuria, a decline in kidney function, and potentially leading to end-stage renal disease.

Both conditions, high blood pressure and kidney disease, often coexist in patients with diabetes, further complicating management and increasing the risk for more severe cardiovascular events and other complications. Therefore, the recognition of these connections highlights the importance of monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and kidney function in patients with diabetes.