Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States, and its incidence continues to rise worldwide. When diabetes affects the kidneys, it is known as diabetic nephropathy. Over time, persistently elevated blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste effectively.

One of the earliest signs of diabetic kidney disease is the presence of protein in the urine, a condition called microalbuminuria. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of developing kidney damage. Major risk factors that increase the likelihood of kidney involvement include poor blood sugar control, high blood pressure, smoking, male sex, and a family history of kidney disease.

Early detection is critical. Identifying kidney disease at an early stage provides an important opportunity to slow or prevent progression from chronic kidney disease to end-stage kidney disease through timely treatment, lifestyle modification, and close medical monitoring.