Complications of DM back | next page 1 of 8 Complications of DM can be acute or chronic. Acute (sudden in onset) result from extreme fluctuations in blood glucose. Chronic (long-term) complications occur over a long period of time and result from changes in the small (microvascular) and large (macrovascular) blood vessels of the body. Microvascular disease results in complications that affect the nerves (neuropathy), kidneys (nephropathy), and eyes (retinopathy). Macrovascular disease contributes to the development of strokes, cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease.