Type II diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency: Renal transplantation or haemodialysis treatment?

The proportion of type II diabetic patients requiring renal replacement therapy has increased over the last 15 years. The ideal treatment for these patient is still a matter of dispute. Diabetic patients with a history of myocardial infarction, stroke or peripheral gangrene prior to renal replacement therapy had a worse prognosis compared with patients without vascular complications even after renal transplantation. The main causes of death were myocardial infarction and sepsis. A history of severe vascular complications prior to renal replacement therapy is an independent factor of decreased survival in type II diabetic patients. Renal transplantation significantly improved survival of diabetic patients without vascular complications and should be considered as the treatment of choice in this group of patients.