Half Diabetics Develop Diabetes Kidney Disease within 10 Years

Diabetes Kidney Disease is a common complication caused by diabetes and the main cause of death in diabetics. Since there is no obvious symptoms in the early stage, it may develop into the end-stage renal failure when protein in the urine is found.

By detecting the albumin urine, early stage diabetes kidney disease can be found. Once the persistent protein urine occurs, it indicates the decline of kidney function.

The data shows that diabetes kidney disease is the cause of death in diabetics. It is a common knowledge that nephritis can lead to end-stage renal failure but it is not informed that diabetes also can lead to end-stage renal failure. In America, diabetes accounts for 38% end-stage renal failure that is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure. In China, diabetes is the third cause of end-stage renal failure, following glomerular nephritis and high blood pressure.
In clinic, the renal function will decline persistently once the diabetes occurs. It is reported that 25% patients with diabetes kidney disease develop end-stage renal failure within 6 years; 50% in ten years; 75% in 15 years. Patients develop end-stage renal failure within average 10 years.

Apart from the diabetes kidney disease, diabetics still can develop other complications such as cardiovascular disease, eye disease, digestive disease and so on. The function of heart and lung in diabetics is poorer than non-diabetes so dialysis may come early.


When end stage renal failure occurs, dialysis or kidney transplant is the choices for diabetics. However, before deciding to do a kidney transplant, consult your doctor whether it is the right time to receive kidney transplant and learn the risks of kidney transplant in diabetics. In some degree, diabetics have higher risk than non-diabetics during or after kidney transplant.