title: The Concept and the Epidemiology of Diabetic Nephropathy Have Changed in Recent Years.
abstract: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a growing worldwide epidemic. It was estimated that more than 366 million people would be affected. DM has spread its presence over the world due to lifestyle changes, increasing obesity and ethnicities, among others. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most important DM complications. A changing concept has been introduced from the classical DN to diabetic chronic kidney disease (DCKD), taking into account that histological kidney lesions may vary from the nodular or diffuse glomerulosclerosis to tubulointerstitial and/or vascular lesions. Recent data showed how primary and secondary prevention were the key to reduce cardiovascular episodes and improve life expectancy in diabetic patients. A stabilization in the rate of end stage kidney disease has been observed in some countries, probably due to the increased awareness by primary care physicians about the prognostic importance of chronic kidney disease (CKD), better control of blood pressure and glycaemia and the implementation of protocols and clinical practice recommendations about the detection, prevention and treatment of CKD in a coordinated and multidisciplinary management of the DM patient. Early detection of DM and DCKD is crucial to reduce morbidity, mortality and the social and economic impact of DM burden in this population.
authors.affiliation: Bellvitge´s University Hospital, Carlos III Research Institute, Barcelona 08907, Spain. albertomcastelao@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Castelao
authors.affiliation: Candelarias's University Hospital, Carlos III Research Institute, Tenerife 38010, Spain. jnavgon@gobiernodecanarias.org.
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Navarro-González
authors.affiliation: Dr. Peset University Hospital, Carlos III Research Institute, Valencia 46017, Spain. jlgorriz@senefro.org.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Górriz
authors.affiliation: Infanta Sofia Hospital, Carlos III Research Institute, Madrid 28702, Spain. fernandodealvaro2@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Alvaro
keywords: diabetes mellitus; diabetic chronic  kidney disease; diabetic nephropathy; end-stage renal disease; epidemiology