Podcast 71: Diabetic Kidney Disease

Dear Listeners,

It is estimated that about 40% of patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes will have diabetic kidney disease. The suggested progression of this disorder is glomerular hyperfiltration due to a high-pressure state caused by elevated blood sugar, proteinuria due to glomerular damage, and chronic renal failure to renal hypoperfusion. Recent studies show that this progression is not always linear. 

Given the prevalence of this disease in diabetics, it is best practice to screen for diabetic kidney disease on a yearly basis with a urinary albumin to creatinine ratio and a serum creatinine.

Treatment is based on slowing the progression of diabetic kidney disease by controlling the blood glucose levels, targeting blood pressure below 130/80, inhibiting the RAAS, and inhibiting SGLT activity.

Posted on 10/02/2021 by Dr. Dimitre