BackgroundDiabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of most common complications of diabetes. Recently, the classical phenotype of DKD, which is characterized by albuminuria preceding renal insufficiency, has been challenged since a subset of diabetic patients with renal insufficiency but without albuminuria has been increasingly reported. However, the available evidence is inconsistent. Thus, the present systematic review will assess and summarize the available data regarding nonalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (NADKD).MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for clinical trials related to NADKD. The results were limited to full-text articles published in English, without restrictions on the publication time. The quality of clinical trials was appraised, and the data were extracted. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Descriptive analysis was performed if the data were insufficient.ResultsA final total of 31 articles were included in this review. The meta-analysis of 18 studies showed that compared with albuminuric DKD, patients with NADKD were older (MD = 1.04 years old, 95% CI [0.52, 1.57], p < 0.05); were more often women (Male RR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.68, 0.81], p < 0.05); had shorter diabetes duration (MD = −2.9 years, 95% CI [−3.63, −2.18], p < 0.05), lower HbA1c levels (MD = −0.34%, 95% CI [−0.42, −0.25], p < 0.05), and lower blood pressure (systolic blood pressure MD = −6.21 mmHg, 95% CI [−9.41, −3.0], p < 0.05; diastolic blood pressure MD = −1.27 mmHg, 95% CI [−2.15, 4.0], p < 0.05); less frequently experienced diabetic retinopathy (RR = 0.58, 95% CI [0.51, 0.67], p < 0.05); and less frequently used renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors. The underlying pathology of NADKD might be different from that of the classic phenotype of DKD, which is associated with more advanced tubulointerstitial and vascular lesions but mild typical glomerular lesions. The annual estimated glomerular filtration rate decline tended to be lower in patients with NADKD than in those with albuminuric DKD. The risk for cardiovascular disease, end-stage renal disease, and all-cause death was lower for patients with NADKD than patients with albuminuric DKD.ConclusionsThe prevalence of NADKD has increased in recent decades, and its characteristics, pathology, and prognosis are different from those of albuminuric DKD; thus, diagnosis and treatment strategies should be different. More attention should be given to this phenotype.

Background: Currently, increasing evidence shows that excess aldosterone may have an impact on bone health, and primary aldosteronism (PA) may be a secondary cause of osteoporosis. This problem is worthy of attention because secondary osteoporosis is always potentially reversible, which affects the selection of treatment for PA to some extent. The present systematic review will assess and summarize the available data regarding the relationship between PA and osteoporosis. Methods: Pubmed and Embase were searched for clinical trials related to the association between PA and bone metabolism. The results were limited to full-text articles published in English, without restrictions for the publication time. The quality of clinical trials was appraised, and the data were extracted. Biochemical parameters of bone turnover in PA patients were assessed using random-effect meta-analysis. Descriptive analysis was performed for other parameters, for data is insufficient. Results: A final total of 15 articles were included in this review. The meta-analysis of six studies showed that subjects with PA had higher serum PTH levels (MD=21.50 pg/ml, 95% CI (15.63, 27.37), P<0.00001) and slightly increased urinary calcium levels (MD = 1.65 mmol/24 h, 95% CI (1.24, 2.06), P < 0.00001) than the EH controls. PA is associated with an increased risk of bone fracture. Bone loss in patients with PA may be reversed by MR antagonists or adrenal surgery. Conclusions: PA may be a secondary cause of osteoporosis and is associated with an increased risk of bone fracture. The clarification of the relationships between PA and bone metabolism requires additional prospective randomized controlled studies in a large sample.