Journal of diabetes
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects a substantial minority of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Analysis of US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) datasets from 2007 through 2012 showed Stage 3 or worse disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 ) in nearly one in five patients, with increasing age, blood pressure, obesity, and levels of glycemia all associated with higher likelihood of Stage 3 or worse CKD, comparable to findings from surveys from many other areas, which also show micro- or macroalbuminuria to be present in one-sixth to one-third of diabetic people. Improvement in albuminuria has been shown in clinical trials of glycemic interventions, including the Action to Control Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial, the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron MR Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) trial, in which the nephroprotective effect of blood pressure lowering was also demonstrated, and the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS). ⋯ The CVOTs have offered the possibility that diabetes treatment may move beyond surrogate endpoints to actual cardiovascular outcome benefits. It appears that these drugs will also lead to a reduction in adverse renal outcomes. We should look with optimism at this potential approach to a major complication of diabetes.