Characteristically, diabetic nephropathy is associated with increased proteinuria, hypertension and progressive loss of renal function.
The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy includes both metabolic and/or hemodynamic factors and renal hypertrophy (glomerular hypertension).
Diabetic nephropathy is generally considered to alter the chemical composition of the glomerular basement membrane and mesangium.
Diabetic nephropathy can occur in individuals with either type 1 diabetes or types 2 diabetes (1,2) and if left untreated frequently leads to progressive renal structural damage and end-stage renal disease.
The incidence and progression of diabetic nephropathy are related to metabolic control and blood pressure.
African Americans with diabetes mellitus are 3.2 – 5 times more likely to develop end-stage renal disease than Caucasians.
The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy is closely related to long-standing hyperglycemia associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
What is diabetic nephropathy?
