Diabetes and the kidney

Abstract

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) management has become increasingly complex. For non-specialists in diabetes or kidney disease, there are some basic standards of care that apply to all people with DKD. These include blood glucose optimisation, blood pressure management, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi), lipid management and smoking cessation. There are also risk prediction tools, such as the Kidney Failure Risk Equation, that can be used to guide management and referral to specialist care. This article provides a broad overview of DKD and signposts the reader to useful resources for people with DKD.

Keywords: Diabetes; Diabetes and chronic kidney disease; Diabetic kidney disease; Diabetic nephropathy.