Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Endocrinology and metabolism
The shifting paradigm of albuminuria in diabetic kidney disease
Recent articles on:
Diabetic kidney problems
Diabetic kidney problems
Recent articles on:
Kidney diseases
Kidney diseases
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease has been traditionally thought of as being a linear progression from microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria to renal failure. New emerging concepts have proved this to be incorrect and are changing the way diabetic kidney disease is considered.
Key Points
- Microalbuminuria may be transient and regress. This is more likely to occur if risk factors, such as blood glucose levels, blood pressure and lipid levels, are well controlled.
- Normoalbuminuric (nonclassical) diabetic kidney disease accounts for at least 25% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes.
- Although diabetic kidney disease is the most common cause of CKD in a patient with diabetes, other causes should be considered.
- Care of patients with diabetes requires careful attention to modifiable factors such as dyslipidaemia and hypertension, as well as good glycaemic control.
Picture credit: © Scott Bodell.
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