Open AccessSignificance of renal biopsy in patients with presumed diabetic nephropathy
Author(s) -
Harada Koji,
Akai Yasuhiro,
Sumida Koichi,
Yoshikawa Mikiko,
Takahashi Hiroki,
Yamaguchi Yukinari,
Kubo Atsushi,
Iwano Masayuki,
Saito Yoshihiko
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of diabetes investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.089
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 2040-1124
pISSN - 2040-1116
DOI - 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2012.00233.x
Subject(s) - medicine , renal biopsy , diabetic nephropathy , proteinuria , biopsy , renal function , glycated hemoglobin , diabetes mellitus , urology , nephropathy , renal pathology , kidney , gastroenterology , type 2 diabetes , endocrinology
Aims/Introduction Patients with diabetic nephropathy ( DN ) typically show varying degrees of proteinuria and renal impairment. Because these clinical signs are frequently observed in other glomerulopathies, renal biopsy is required to make a definitive diagnosis of DN . We carried out the present study to evaluate the significance of renal biopsy for patients who have been presumptively diagnosed with DN . Materials and Methods A total of 55 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( DM ), and proteinuria, hematuria and/or renal impairment were enrolled in this study. Results Renal biopsy showed that just 30 patients (54.5%) were histologically diagnosed with DN . Fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels were associated with the presence of DN , whereas baseline renal function showed no statistically significant relationship to DN . The duration of DM was not associated with the presence of DN . Patients with DN had a higher rate of diabetic retinopathy ( DR ) than those with non‐ DN ( DN 18 patients vs non‐ DN three patients, P = 0.00029). DN patients with DR showed a more severe renal histology than those without. Conclusions These data suggest that, even for patients with long‐term DM , renal biopsy should be carried out in patients with presumed DN . Because treatment options differ between DN and primary glomerulopathies, renal biopsy should especially be considered for presumed DN without DR .