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. 2025 Jun 29;17(6):e86962.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.86962. eCollection 2025 Jun.

Prevalence and Correlates of Clinical Nephropathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes at Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center, Umuahia, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Izuchukwu E Okeji  1 , Onyedikachi F Uzor  2 , Christopher C Okafor  3   4 , Silas U Okafor  5 , Augustine I Airaodion  6   7 , Obinna J Orji  8 , Isaiah O Abali  9 , Ikpembhosa J Esangbedo  10 , Oladoyin Ogunbayo Jolaoye  11   12 , Temitayo O Olaotan  13 , Innocent Chima Zacs  14 , Akudo B Umeh  15 , Ugonna Emmanuella Ojumonu  16 , Abasiekeme Monday Ekwere  17 , Cynthia Kenechukwu Madueke  18 , Ochuko Austin-Jemifor  19 , Excel Nwasinachi Victor-Anozie  20   4 , Augustine C Amuta  21 , Chibuike Umeh  22
Affiliations

Prevalence and Correlates of Clinical Nephropathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes at Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center, Umuahia, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Izuchukwu E Okeji et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background Clinical nephropathy is a prevalent and serious microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), contributing substantially to increased morbidity and mortality among affected individuals. It often progresses insidiously, leading to end-stage renal disease if not promptly detected and managed. Despite its growing public health importance, there is a paucity of region-specific data on the prevalence and correlates of clinical nephropathy in patients with T2DM, particularly in resource-limited settings. In regions such as Abia State, Nigeria, limited research has been conducted to determine the burden of diabetic nephropathy and its clinical correlates. Understanding the local epidemiology of this complication is essential for guiding early detection strategies, optimizing management, and improving patient outcomes. Objective This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of clinical nephropathy among patients with type 2 diabetes at Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center, Nigeria, to inform strategies for improving early detection and management of diabetic nephropathy complications. Methodology A cross-sectional study design was employed at the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center outpatient clinic. The sample size (n = 255) was calculated using the Cochran formula, considering a known prevalence of nephropathy in patients with T2DM in Nigeria. Data were collected through structured interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory procedures, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Clinical information indicated a high prevalence of clinical nephropathy (77, 30.20%). Lifestyle factors reflected low tobacco use (25, 9.80%) and alcohol consumption (32, 12.55%), with frequent engagement in physical activity (87, 34.12%). Access to healthcare revealed barriers (174, 68.24%) and limited knowledge of diabetic kidney disease (77, 30.20%). Anthropometric indices and blood pressure showed significant differences between groups (P < 0.05), with diabetic patients with nephropathy exhibiting higher values. Renal indices also displayed significant differences (P < 0.05), indicating renal dysfunction among diabetic patients with nephropathy. The prevalence of albuminuria was notable (microalbuminuria: 156, 61.18%). The staging of clinical nephropathy revealed varying severity levels. Conclusions The clinical nephropathy prevalence among patients with T2DM at Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center, Umuahia, Nigeria, is substantial. Factors such as anthropometric indices, blood pressure, renal parameters, glycemic control, and lipid profiles significantly correlate with the presence of nephropathy. These findings underscore the importance of early detection and management strategies to mitigate diabetic nephropathy complications.

Keywords: albuminuria; clinical nephropathy; kidney disease; t2dm; type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The Ethics Committee of Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center, Umuahia, Nigeria issued approval ABSHDC/EC/24/039. The study described above has been reviewed by the Ethics Committee and deemed to incorporate standard ethical considerations for public health research. It is relevant and poses no identifiable risks to participants. We consider the study valuable and beneficial to the advancement of public health. It is hereby approved. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Stages of clinical nephropathy.
Stage 1: Kidney damage with normal or increased GFR (>90 mL/minute). Stage 2: Mild decrease in GFR (60-89 mL/minute). Stage 3: Moderate decrease in GFR (30-59 mL/minute). Stage 4: Severe decrease in GFR (15-29 mL/minute). Stage 5: Kidney failure (<15 mL/minute). GFR, glomerular filtration rate
Figure 2
Figure 2. Mean fasting blood sugar of patients with diabetes.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Mean HbA1c level in patients with diabetes.
Bars represent mean HbA1c levels (%) in patients with and without nephropathy. Error bars indicate the standard error of the mean (SEM).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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