Diabetic Nephropathy

Question 1

What is Diabetic nephropathy?

Answer 1

It is when the high levels of glucose passing through the glomerulus causes scarring. This is called glomerulosclerosis.

Question 2

What is the most common cause of glomerular pathology and chronic kidney disease in the UK?

Answer 2

Diabetic nephropathy

Question 3

What is the main feature of diabetic nephropathy?

Answer 3

Proteinuria

Question 4

Why do you get proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy?

Answer 4

This is due to damage to the glomerulus allowing protein to be filtered from blood to urine.

Question 5

Patients with diabetes should have regular screening for diabetic nephropathy - T/F?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What should be screened for regularly in patients with diabetes and how?

Answer 6

Patients with diabetes should have regular screening for diabetic nephropathy by testing the ablumin:creatinine ratio and U&Es.

Question 7

What is the management of diabetic nephropathy?

Answer 7

Aim: Optimise blood sugar levels and blood pressure

• ACEi for BP control. Patients with diabetic nephropathy should start them even if they have a normal BP.