9^th World Kidney Congress

Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic kidney disease, also known as diabetic nephropathy, is a renal complication that often arises in individuals with diabetes mellitus. In diabetic nephropathy, the kidney's filters and glomeruli suffer damage, leading to an abnormal release of a significant amount of protein from the blood into the urine. Over an extended period, this condition can result in kidney damage. The primary function of the kidneys is to cleanse the blood, and if they are impaired, waste and fluids accumulate in the bloodstream without being properly eliminated from the body. When diabetes causes damage to the kidneys, it is termed diabetic nephropathy. Typically, this condition begins before noticeable symptoms appear, with the initial sign being a small amount of protein in the urine. Diagnostic tests such as urine tests or blood tests can identify diabetic nephropathy and assess the kidney's functionality.