Epidemiology

Approximately 20% to 40% of patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus develop DKD.[1]​​[4] The epidemiology of DKD has been best studied in patients with type 1 diabetes, since the time of clinical onset is usually known. Approximately 20% to 30% will have moderately increased albuminuria (previously known as microalbuminuria) after a mean duration of diabetes of 15 years.[5]​ In a cohort of patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes, after 50 years 60% had end-stage renal disease, 72% had severely increased albuminuria (previously known as macroalbuminuria), and 88% had moderately increased albuminuria.[6]

DKD may be present at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.[1] Although in the past it was stated that the risk of nephropathy was less in type 2 than type 1 diabetes, a study of the first decade of diabetes duration showed that albuminuria progression was actually more common in type 2 versus type 1 diabetes.[7][8]​​

The prevalence of DKD is increasing and reflects the rise in prevalence of diabetes worldwide.[4] Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide.[9]

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