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. 2014 Feb 21;9(2):e88956.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088956. eCollection 2014.

Diabetic nephropathy and its risk factors in a society with a type 2 diabetes epidemic: a Saudi National Diabetes Registry-based study

Khalid Al-Rubeaan  1 , Amira M Youssef  2 , Shazia N Subhani  3 , Najlaa A Ahmad  4 , Ahmad H Al-Sharqawi  4 , Hind M Al-Mutlaq  5 , Satish K David  6 , Dhekra AlNaqeb  7
Affiliations

Diabetic nephropathy and its risk factors in a society with a type 2 diabetes epidemic: a Saudi National Diabetes Registry-based study

Khalid Al-Rubeaan et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Aims: The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and its risk factors have not been studied in a society known to have diabetes epidemic like Saudi Arabia. Using a large data base registry will provide a better understanding and accurate assessment of this chronic complication and its related risk factors.

Methodology: A total of 54,670 patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥ 25 years were selected from the Saudi National Diabetes Registry (SNDR) and analyzed for the presence of diabetic nephropathy. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) criterion was used to identify cases with microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria and end stage renal disease (ESRD) for prevalence estimation and risk factor assessment.

Results: The overall prevalence of diabetic nephropathy was 10.8%, divided into 1.2% microalbuminuria, 8.1%macroalbuninuria and 1.5% ESRD. Age and diabetes duration as important risk factors have a strong impact on the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy, ranging from 3.7% in patients aged 25-44 years and a duration of >5 years, to 21.8% in patients ≥ 65 years with a diabetes duration of ≥ 15 years. Diabetes duration, retinopathy, neuropathy, hypertension, age >45 years, hyperlipidemia, male gender, smoking, and chronologically, poor glycemic control has a significantly high risk for diabetic nephropathy.

Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy is underestimated as a result of a shortage of screening programs. Risk factors related to diabetic nephropathy in this society are similar to other societies. There is thus an urgent need for screening and prevention programs for diabetic nephropathy among the Saudi population.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Sampling methodology for patients with diabetic nephropathy and its different types, among type 2 diabetes patients aged ≥25 years from the Saudi National Diabetes registry.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Three dimensional figure for prevalence of diabetic nephropathy according to age and diabetes duration grouping.
Nephropathy prevalence calculated per group according to age in relation to the five years duration for the total of 54,670 patients.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Forest plot for odds ratio & 95% confidence interval for diabetic nephropathy risk.
* Related to diabetes duration <5 years.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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