The Concept and the Epidemiology of Diabetic Nephropathy Have Changed in Recent Years

Journal of Clinical Medicine

Alberto Martínez-Castelao²  Juan F. Navarro-González⁴  José Luis Górriz³  Fernando de Alvaro¹ 

[1] Infanta Sofia Hospital, Carlos III Research Institute, Madrid 28702, Spain; E-Mail:;Bellvitge´s University Hospital, Carlos III Research Institute, Barcelona 08907, Spain;Dr. Peset University Hospital, Carlos III Research Institute, Valencia 46017, Spain; E-Mail:;Candelarias’s University Hospital, Carlos III Research Institute, Tenerife 38010, Spain; E-Mail:

关键词: diabetes mellitus;    epidemiology;    diabetic nephropathy;    diabetic chronic kidney disease;    end-stage renal disease;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jcm4061207

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a growing worldwide epidemic. It was estimated that more than 366 million people would be affected. DM has spread its presence over the world due to lifestyle changes, increasing obesity and ethnicities, among others. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most important DM complications. A changing concept has been introduced from the classical DN to diabetic chronic kidney disease (DCKD), taking into account that histological kidney lesions may vary from the nodular or diffuse glomerulosclerosis to tubulointerstitial and/or vascular lesions. Recent data showed how primary and secondary prevention were the key to reduce cardiovascular episodes and improve life expectancy in diabetic patients. A stabilization in the rate of end stage kidney disease has been observed in some countries, probably due to the increased awareness by primary care physicians about the prognostic importance of chronic kidney disease (CKD), better control of blood pressure and glycaemia and the implementation of protocols and clinical practice recommendations about the detection, prevention and treatment of CKD in a coordinated and multidisciplinary management of the DM patient. Early detection of DM and DCKD is crucial to reduce morbidity, mortality and the social and economic impact of DM burden in this population.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.