Nefropatía diabética: diagnóstico clínico, evaluación y tratamiento

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by increased plasma glucose levels. Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) therefore, high clinical suspicion and early recognition of microvascular complications are mandatory in the context of comprehensive management of the diabetic patient. OBJECTIVE: To determine updates in diagnostic methods and management of diabetic nephropathy in clinical practice through a literature review of scientific articles from PubMed to improve health care strategies in the diabetic patient. METHOD: A descriptive study was carried out based on the review of updated scientific articles from the PubMed database, with a maximum publication date of up to 5 years old, with the aim of contributing to the medical community on a pathology with a high incidence. CONCLUSION: Diabetic kidney disease is considered the most frequent microvascular complication of T2DM, occupying second place in relation to adult mortality. The risk factors that most influence the progression of diabetic nephropathy are cardiovascular diseases such as the presence of systemic arterial hypertension, poor glycemic control, long-standing diabetes (more than 10 years), dyslipidemia and the presence of microalbuminuria. Adequate follow-up and comprehensive control of the pathology is necessary to identify early the decrease in renal function and guide medical efforts to achieve a successful referral of the patient to the specialist.