title: Diabetic nephropathy: common questions.
abstract: Diabetic nephropathy, or diabetic kidney disease, affects 20 to 30 percent of patients with diabetes. It is a common cause of kidney failure. Diabetic nephropathy presents in its earliest stage with low levels of albumin (microalbuminuria) in the urine. The most practical method of screening for microalbuminuria is to assess the albumin-to-creatinine ratio with a spot urine test. Results of two of three tests for microalbuminuria should be more than 30 mg per day or 20 mcg per minute in a three- to six-month period to diagnose a patient with diabetic nephropathy. Slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy can be achieved by optimizing blood pressure (130/80 mm Hg or less) and glycemic control, and by prescribing an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. Patients with diabetes and isolated microalbuminuria or hypertension benefit from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. In the event that these medications cannot be prescribed, a nondihydropyridine calcium channel blocker may be considered. Serum creatinine and potassium levels should be monitored carefully for patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. These medications should be stopped if hyperkalemia is pronounced.
authors.affiliation: Lake Road Nephrology Clinic, Milwaukie, Oregon 97267, USA. micahthorp@comcast.net
authors.forename: Micah L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Thorp
mesh_terms: D000419:Albuminuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D018450:Disease Progression; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D018579:Patient Selection; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D003404:Creatinine; D011188:Potassium