Diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), also known as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is a chronic loss of kidney function in those with diabetes mellitus (diabetes), affecting approximately one quarter of adults with diabetes in the United States. DN is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. The condition is commonly associated with proteinuria (protein in the urine), hypertension, and declining renal function over time.

Affected individuals with ESKD often require hemodialysis and eventually kidney transplantation to replace the failed kidney function. DN is associated with an increased risk of death in general, particularly from cardiovascular disease.