Progression of diabetic nephropathy in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The purpose of this study is to define the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This is a prospective cohort Study of 35 Saudi patients with biopsy proven DN. A scoring system for the histologic severity was developed. The following parameters were recorded at baseline and after a mean FU period of 8.2 years: age. gender. GFR (using chromium-labeled EDTA, serum creatinine, body mass index [BMI], urinary protein and serum albumin). The mean age was 61 years. There were 20 males and 15 females. The mean baseline EDTA G F R was 44 +/- 29 mL/min), and the mean baseline serum creatinine was 165 (+/- 116). The mean albumin at baseline was 29 g/L (+/- 10), and the mean proteinuria was 3 g in 24 hours (2). Twenty patients (57%) required dialysis within 2 years of follow-up. Four patients (11%) died, 9 (26%) remained off dialysis with mean serum creatinine of 119.7 mu mol/L at the end of the follow-up period. Two patients were lost to follow-up. The factors associated with progression were baseline proteinuria (P = 0.01), serum creatinine (P = 0.01). histologic severity (P < 0.001 lower baseline serum albumin (P = 0.001). EDTA GFR (P = 0.001) and BMI (P = 0.001). DN due 10 type 2 DM in Saudi patients has a rapid course.