Nephropathy: a dangerous complication of diabetes

Untreated or improperly treated, nephropathy leads to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis or organ transplantation. The survey carried out by the Polish Diabetes Association among diabetic patients indicates how much still needs to be done in the field of nephropathy prevention. The results show that over 80% of patients were consulted by a diabetologist. This is in line with the recommendations of the Polish Diabetes Society, the guidelines of the College of Family Physicians in Poland and the common position of national consultants in the field of family medicine and diabetes, which recommend that a patient on oral medications should be followed by primary care physicians and once a year consulted by a diabetes specialist. A patient on insulin and with complications should remain under the care of a diabetes clinic.

The test that allows early detection of kidney disorders is the determination of urinary albumin excretion. Capturing microalbuminuria allows for the implementation of treatment that will protect against renal failure. Unfortunately, only slightly more than half of the respondents with diabetes had such a test done in the last year. An even smaller percentage, only 43%, had creatinine levels, a parameter determining the state of kidney function, performed. In more than 20% of the respondents, the concentration of glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, a parameter describing the degree of diabetes control, was not tested, and it should be borne in mind that improper glucose control is the basic factor damaging the kidneys. On the other hand, the high awareness of patients regarding the negative impact of diabetes on the kidneys should be emphasized. This relationship was indicated by over 90% of the respondents. The results of the survey indicate a significant interest of patients in issues related to diabetes, drawing knowledge from social media, other patients, educational materials and in a significant percentage, almost 40%, from healthcare professionals (family doctor, diabetes specialist or dietitian). The significant role of patients' associations in this aspect should also be emphasized, as more than one in five patients draws their knowledge from this source.

Summary:

Diabetic kidney disease is a significant complication of diabetes. Despite the high awareness of patients about the existence of such a threat, the diagnosis of the early phase of nephropathy is poor, which significantly affects the delay of pharmacotherapy, thanks to which it is possible to inhibit or delay the process of kidney damage in the course of diabetes, despite the fact that modern medicine has such possibilities.

Prof. dr hab. n. med. Krzysztof Strojek
national consultant in the field of diabetes

Materialprovided with support from Bayer

Source: Polish Diabetes Association