Diabetic Nephropathy (Kidney Disease)

Diabetes-related nephropathy is a condition that affects your kidneys. Another name for diabetes-related nephropathy is diabetes-related kidney disease (DKD).

Your kidneys filter waste from your body. Common waste products include nitrogen waste products such as urea, muscle waste (creatinine) and many other toxins. Your kidneys also help balance your body’s fluids and electrolytes. Each kidney contains more than a million nephrons, which help filter your blood and keep all of this in balance.

Each nephron contains groups of tiny blood vessels called glomeruli (glo-mare-yoo-lye). Glomeruli perform the first step in filtering your blood. Glomeruli have semi-permeable membranes. These semi-permeable membranes allow water and soluble wastes to pass through, which eventually leave your body in your urine (pee).

Diabetes causes diabetes-related nephropathy. If you have diabetes, your body can’t properly process the blood sugar (glucose) from the foods and drinks you consume. Extra glucose in your bloodstream may damage the glomerular membranes as well as other parts of the nephron.

Damaged glomeruli can’t properly filter fluids. If the glomeruli can’t properly filter fluids, toxins that should leave in your pee accumulate in your blood and body.

Is diabetes-related nephropathy serious?

Yes, diabetes-related nephropathy is serious.

Diabetes-related nephropathy may lead to kidney failure. Kidney failure can be fatal.

What are the stages of diabetes-related nephropathy?

There are certain diabetes-related nephropathy stages according to your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Your eGFR is a calculation of how efficiently your kidneys filter substances. A normal eGFR is about 100. The lowest eGFR is 0, which means there is no remaining kidney function.

The stages of any kidney disease, including diabetes-related nephropathy, include:

• Stage I. Your GFR is 90 or higher. At this stage, your kidneys have mild damage but still function normally.
• Stage II. Your GFR may be as low as 60 or as high as 89. You have more damage to your kidneys than in stage I, but they still function well.
• Stage III. Your GFR may be as low as 30 or as high as 59. You may have mild or severe loss of kidney function.
• Stage IV. Your GFR may be as low as 15 or as high as 29. You have severe loss of kidney function.
• Stage V. Your GFR is below 15. Your kidneys are nearing or at complete failure

Who does diabetes-related nephropathy affect?

Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can develop diabetes-related nephropathy. However, you’re at a greater risk of developing diabetes-related nephropathy if you’re:

• Black.
• Native American, Alaska Native or First Nations.
• Polynesian.
• Maori.

Other risk factors include:

• A family history of kidney disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Using tobacco products.
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
• Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).

How common is diabetes-related nephropathy?

Diabetes-related nephropathy is common. It’s the most common cause of end-stage renal (kidney) disease in the world.

About 40% of people who have diabetes develop diabetes-related nephropathy.