आईएसएसएन: 2161-0940
Anita Saxena
Diabetes is an important cause of renal disease. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by albuminuria, which is usually accompanied by hypertension, progressive rise in proteinuria (albuminuria >0.5 g/24 h), and decline in renal function. Long term complications of diabetes are macrovascular disease (coronary heart disease), cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease and microvascular disease retinopathy and nephropathy. DN carries a 20- to 40-fold increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) mortality. To delay progression of DN to ESRD following measures are recommended a) good control of blood glucose, b) low-protein diet, c) control of hypertension, d) restriction of dietary salt, phosphorus and potassium in advanced cases and e) control of hyperfiltration, usually through angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blocking (ARB) agents. ACE inhibitors reduce proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. Mangement of proteinuria with diet has shown that antiproteinuric effect is strongly dependent on dietary sodium restriction.