Diabetic Nephropathy

Renal involvement is one of the major microvascular complications of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetic nephropathy is the major cause of end-stage renal failure in most Western nations and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality as compared to other causes of renal disease. The pathogenesis of renal involvement in diabetes is presumed to be the result of the interplay of metabolic and hemodynamic factors. Significant advances in the prevention and treatment of progression of diabetic nephropathy have been achieved with intensive glycemic control and the treatment of elevated blood pressure. Patients with diabetes should thus be screened regularly for the appearance of any of the risk factors for renal or other complications and treated intensively according to established guidelines for control of hyperglycemia and hypertension. Ancillary therapeutic measures include treatment of hyperlipidemia, low-protein diet, and the cessation of smoking.