Diabetic Nephropathy - Pathology

Proteinuria - updated: 15 March 2008

In the United States, 4% of the population is at risk for kidney disease. As part of an annual physical checkup, we should have three important tests: blood levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urine levels of protein. Small elevations of creatinine can be an early sign of kidney disease. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine, but when kidney function diminishes, creatinine levels in the blood go up. Early detection leads to early treatment, which can occur at a stage when treatment can help prevent kidney disease from advancing to a more serious stage.

Diabetic nephropathy: common questions

Am Fam Physician. 2005 Jul 1;72(1):96-9

Thorp ML.

Diabetic nephropathy, or diabetic kidney disease, affects 20 to 30 percent of patients with diabetes. It is a common cause of kidney failure. Diabetic nephropathy presents in its earliest stage with low levels of albumin (microalbuminuria) in the urine. The most practical method of screening for microalbuminuria is to assess the albumin-to-creatinine ratio with a spot urine test. Results of two of three tests for microalbuminuria should be more than 30 mg per day or 20 mcg per minute in a three- to six-month period to diagnose a patient with diabetic nephropathy. Slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy can be achieved by optimizing blood pressure (130/80 mm Hg or less) and glycemic control, and by prescribing an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. Patients with diabetes and isolated microalbuminuria or hypertension benefit from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. In the event that these medications cannot be prescribed, a nondihydropyridine calcium channel blocker may be considered. Serum creatinine and potassium levels should be monitored carefully for patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. These medications should be stopped if hyperkalemia is pronounced

Diabetic renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: new strategies for prevention and treatment

Treat Endocrinol. 2002;1(1):3-11

Mogensen CE.

Over the last 35 years an increasing number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have developed advanced renal disease and the need for dialysis. At present in the US, about 50% of the patients in dialysis units have type 2 diabetes mellitus. The explanation for the increase in the number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in end-stage renal disease programs is not completely clear, but the overall number of patients with this type of diabetes is rapidly increasing - and is expected to continue to increase over the next years. The diagnosis of renal disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus is usually straightforward, and is mainly dependent upon measurements of urinary albumin or urinary protein excretion as well as serum creatinine measurements. Renal biopsies or exact glomerular filtration rate measurements are rarely necessary. Microalbuminuria is the first sign of renal disease in diabetes mellitus. It predicts overt nephropathy and cardiovascular disease. Several studies document that albuminuria and microalbuminuria can be reduced by treatment with antihypertensives, especially agents that block the renin angiotensin system. New studies show that end-stage renal disease can be postponed by the use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists. ACE inhibitors are also useful, and dual blockade of the renin angiotensin system has been utilized as well. However, generally speaking, patients with proteinuria have a poor prognosis. Screening for microalbuminuria is therefore proposed, and glycemic control and blood pressure should be optimized.

Publication Types:

• Review

Diabetic nephropathy: diagnosis, prevention, and treatment

Diabetes Care. 2005 Jan;28(1):164-76.

Gross JL, de Azevedo MJ, Silveiro SP, Canani LH, Caramori ML, Zelmanovitz T.

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of kidney disease in patients starting renal replacement therapy and affects approximately 40% of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. It increases the risk of death, mainly from cardiovascular causes, and is defined by increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in the absence of other renal diseases. Diabetic nephropathy is categorized into stages: microalbuminuria (UAE >20 microg/min and < or =199 microg/min) and macroalbuminuria (UAE > or =200 microg/min). Hyperglycemia, increased blood pressure levels, and genetic predisposition are the main risk factors for the development of diabetic nephropathy. Elevated serum lipids, smoking habits, and the amount and origin of dietary protein also seem to play a role as risk factors. Screening for microalbuminuria should be performed yearly, starting 5 years after diagnosis in type 1 diabetes or earlier in the presence of puberty or poor metabolic control. In patients with type 2 diabetes, screening should be performed at diagnosis and yearly thereafter. Patients with micro- and macroalbuminuria should undergo an evaluation regarding the presence of comorbid associations, especially retinopathy and macrovascular disease. Achieving the best metabolic control (A1c <7%), treating hypertension (<130/80 mmHg or <125/75 mmHg if proteinuria >1.0 g/24 h and increased serum creatinine), using drugs with blockade effect on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and treating dyslipidemia (LDL cholesterol <100 mg/dl) are effective strategies for preventing the development of microalbuminuria, in delaying the progression to more advanced stages of nephropathy and in reducing cardiovascular mortality in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Publication Types:

• Review

Publication Types:

• Review