Diabetic kidney disease is becoming a growing concern in India due to the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), about 25-30 per cent of people with diabetes in India develop kidney damage, reports HIndustan Times.
Early identification is key
Dr. Rajiv Kovil, head of Diabetology at Zandra Healthcare, emphasized the importance of early kidney disease detection to prevent progression to kidney failure, noting that most diabetes-related kidney disease patients eventually die of heart disease.
He explained that in type 2 diabetes, persistent high blood sugar leads to podocyte injury, which is an early marker of kidney damage, often detectable before kidney function significantly declines.
Diagnostic marker: Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)
UACR is a crucial marker for detecting early kidney damage. An elevated UACR (>30 mg/g) suggests albuminuria, a sign of early kidney disease. Early detection allows timely intervention to slow progression to kidney failure.
Early treatment strategies
Dr. Kovil highlighted that managing blood pressure, blood glucose, and kidney function together can prevent complications like diabetic retinopathy. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, including empagliflozin and dapagliflozin, are revolutionizing the treatment of both diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
These drugs reduce kidney damage by blocking glucose reabsorption, decreasing pressure on kidney glomeruli.
Key benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors
Reduced albuminuria, slowing CKD progression.
Preservation of kidney function and reduced cardiovascular risks.
Delay in dialysis or kidney failure onset.
Dr. Kovil concluded that early detection, routine screening, and the use of SGLT2 inhibitors can significantly improve outcomes for patients with diabetic kidney disease in India.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
