Screening for chronic kidney disease in Egyptian type 2 diabetic patients: a single-center study

Background Screening is an important strategy to address the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetic population. International clinical guidelines recommend CKD screening for individuals with risk factors such as diabetes using laboratory assessments of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine albumin excretion. To assess the implementation and outcomes of screening programs for CKD in type 2 diabetic patients. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted that included 200 adult type 2 diabetic patients in Alagouza Hospital. Patients on hemodialysis and those with type 1 diabetes mellitus were excluded. Patients were screened for CKD using urinary albumin/creatinine ratio and average estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients with CKD were further investigated for extrarenal diabetic complications such as peripheral vascular disease and cardiovascular complications. Results Overall, 55% of the studied patients were males, with a mean age of 60.09±8.55 years. Among diabetic complications, nephropathy was the most common (53%), followed by history of neuropathy (44.5%), and retinopathy evidenced in fundus examination (34.516%). History of stroke presented in 17.5% of patients. Peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and stroke history were more common in nephropathic patients compared with patients without nephropathy (62/27, 61/8, and 22/13, respectively). Patients with evidenced nephropathy who were further investigated for extrarenal diabetic complications showed peripheral vascular disease in 32.1% (34 patients), with three patients undergoing amputation. Heart failure and ischemic changes were seen in 17.9% (19 patients). Conclusion Screening of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus helps in early treatment and avoids its more serious complications such as progression to end-stage renal disease and other extrarenal diabetic complications.