Diabetic Nephropathy as an Anukta Vyadhi: An Integrative Review With Ayurvedic Concepts and Contemporary Perspectives

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive kidney disorder occurring as a chronic microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, characterised by persistent albuminuria, declining glomerular filtration rate, oedema, and eventual progression toward chronic kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy is defined as an increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in absence of the other renal diseases. Diabetic nephropathy is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and is now among the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in developed countries. It is a specific form of renal complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a major cause of death and disability among diabetics. In Ayurveda, many Acharyas analyse the causes and pathogenesis of Prameha vyadhi which shows similarities with Diabetes Mellitus described by modern science.