Diabetic Nephropathy and Its Risk Factors in a Society with a Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic: A Saudi National Diabetes Registry-Based Study

Abstract

AimsThe prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and its risk factors have not been studied in a society known to have diabetes epidemic like Saudi Arabia. Using a large data base registry will provide a better understanding and accurate assessment of this chronic complication and its related risk factors.MethodologyA total of 54,670 patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥25 years were selected from the Saudi National Diabetes Registry (SNDR) and analyzed for the presence of diabetic nephropathy. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) criterion was used to identify cases with microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria and end stage renal disease (ESRD) for prevalence estimation and risk factor assessment.ResultsThe overall prevalence of diabetic nephropathy was 10.8%, divided into 1.2% microalbuminuria, 8.1%macroalbuninuria and 1.5% ESRD. Age and diabetes duration as important risk factors have a strong impact on the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy, ranging from 3.7% in patients aged 25–44 years and a duration of >5 years, to 21.8% in patients ≥65 years with a diabetes duration of ≥15 years. Diabetes duration, retinopathy, neuropathy, hypertension, age >45 years, hyperlipidemia, male gender, smoking, and chronologically, poor glycemic control has a significantly high risk for diabetic nephropathy.ConclusionThe prevalence of diabetic nephropathy is underestimated as a result of a shortage of screening programs. Risk factors related to diabetic nephropathy in this society are similar to other societies. There is thus an urgent need for screening and prevention programs for diabetic nephropathy among the Saudi population.

Gestational diabetes prevalence and risk factors among pregnant women — Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

“…Our paper suggests that the prevalence of GDM is estimated at 8.2% (95% CI 6.0-11.1), which is lower that most studies conducted in Saudi Arabia [6,14,15]. Literature generally suggested high variability of GDM, this may be attributed to discrepancies in GDM prevalence estimates by data sources and for a consensus on which diagnostic criteria to use.…”

1,25-(OH)2D3 and its analogue BXL-628 inhibit high glucose-induced activation of RhoA/ROCK pathway in HK-2 cells

“…Hyperglycemia is one of the most important risk factors in diabetes and its complications, including DN (1,5). Hyperglycemic conditions activate a number of important intracellular signaling pathways, including the TGF-β/SMAD, nuclear factor-κB and Rho/ROCK pathways (12,15,27,28), which serve crucial roles in the diabetic renal inflammation response, RAS activation, EMT and fibrosis (3,8,19,29). VitD and VDR have previously been demonstrated to have renal protective functions via their regulative role in pathways associated with the prevention of EMT and fibrosis (17,20,30,31).…”

“…In recent years, the protective effect of vitamin D (VitD)/VitD receptor (VDR) in patients with DN has been illustrated (15,16). Clinical treatment with active VitD is typically accompanied by hypercalcemic side effects (17), therefore, VitD analogs with fewer side effects may provide therapeutic benefits.…”

A Study Protocol to Assess the Determinants of Glycaemic Control, Complications and Health Related Quality of Life for People with Type 2 Diabetes in Saudi Arabia

“…However, some of the studies from Saudi Arabia used random blood sugar for determining the level of control, which was a limitation to these studies. In addition, the majority of studies from Saudi Arabia involved a single centre, or were hospital-based [8][9][10]13,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] and may not accurately represent the large and diverse population of the country.…”