Importance of Early Screening and Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Electrolyte Imbalances and Metabolic Emergencies in Obesity: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Electrolyte imbalances are a frequently overlooked yet critical component of obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney impairment, and metabolic emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), and acute kidney injury (AKI). These disturbances arise from insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and renal dysfunction, leading to sodium retention, potassium depletion, and deficiencies in calcium and magnesium homeostasis. Managing electrolyte imbalances is essential in obesity management, as imbalances exacerbate hypertension, metabolic acidosis, neuromuscular complications, and insulin resistance. This review explores the pathophysiology of electrolyte disturbances in obesity and their impact on fluid balance, acid-base status, and metabolic health. Effective management strategies include individualized electrolyte monitoring, dietary sodium restriction, potassium supplementation, vitamin D and magnesium correction, and pharmacologic interventions targeting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activity and insulin resistance. Additionally, lifestyle interventions, including dietary modification, weight loss strategies, and hydration optimization, play a key role in preventing metabolic complications. Future research should investigate the long-term impact of electrolyte imbalances in obesity, the role of emerging therapies, and how lifestyle interventions can optimize electrolyte homeostasis and metabolic outcomes. A personalized, multidisciplinary approach integrating endocrinology, nephrology, and clinical nutrition is essential to improving the prevention and management of electrolyte imbalances in obese individuals.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Incidental Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients Newly Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to detect the prevalence of incidental chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHOD

 This was a cross-sectional study conducted from July 2023 to November 2024, at Faiha Specialized Diabetes, Endocrine, and Metabolism Center and Al-Rafidain Specialized Center in Basrah, southern Iraq. A total of 202 newly diagnosed drug-naïve T2D patients were included. The baseline clinical and biochemical characteristics for the patients at inclusion. CKD was diagnosed by measuring the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR).

RESULTS

The mean age of patients included in the study was 49.1±12 years. CKD was diagnosed in 68 (33.7%) patients based on GFR <60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 and/or UACR ≥ 30 mg/g. The CKD categories G1, 2, G3a, and 3b were prevalent in 71.3%, 24.2%, 3.0%, and 1.5%, respectively. For albuminuria, 31.2% had UACR 10-30 mg/g, 22.8% had UACR 30-300 mg/g, and 7.9% had UACR higher than 300 mg/g. A stepwise binary regression analysis showed that higher patients' age and HbA1c levels were the factors that were significantly associated with CKD.

CONCLUSION

incidental CKD is prevalent in one-third of the newly diagnosed T2D. Early screening for CKD is highly recommended as it will affect overall management.

The Dual Burden: Exploring Cardiovascular Complications in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals and leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. This review aims to explore the epidemiology, cardiovascular complications, and management strategies associated with CKD, emphasizing the importance of preventing cardiovascular disease and early intervention. CKD is primarily driven by conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, which often coexist and exacerbate renal impairment. Effective management requires a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle modifications, pharmacological interventions, and regular monitoring. Dietary changes, such as sodium restriction and a controlled intake of phosphorus and potassium, play a vital role in preserving renal function. Pharmacological therapies, particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and emerging agents like SGLT2 inhibitors, have shown efficacy in slowing disease progression and improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, patients undergoing dialysis face increased cardiovascular risk, necessitating comprehensive management strategies to address both renal and cardiac health. As the landscape of CKD treatment evolves, ongoing research into novel therapeutic options and personalized medical approaches are essential. This review underscores the urgent need for awareness, education, and effective preventive measures to mitigate the burden of CKD and enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.

Decarbonisation of Kidney Care in the United Arab Emirates: A Roadmap to an Environmentally Sustainable Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a major public health burden and a leading cause of mortality worldwide and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Alongside its clinical and humanistic burden, CKD care is associated with a significant carbon footprint. In this narrative review, we present an overview of the carbon footprint of current CKD treatments and the results of an analysis estimating the carbon footprint of CKD treatments in the UAE. Using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method and local data from the published national reports and inventory sources, we estimated that haemodialysis leads to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of ~12.8 tons of CO2 equivalents (CO2eq) per person in the UAE annually. Thus, the decarbonisation of CKD care is crucial in establishing an environmentally sustainable healthcare system. We propose a framework to decarbonise CKD care in the UAE that tackles the carbon footprint of CKD care in the UAE by focusing on three main pillars: Delaying early CKD and slowing its progression; reducing anthropogenic emissions from CKD and dialysis care by promoting best practices and eco-friendly technologies; and enhancing access to kidney transplantation. Such approaches are relevant not only for the UAE but also for global healthcare systems aiming towards net-zero emissions.

Practicalities and importance of assessing urine albumin excretion in type 2 diabetes: A cutting-edge update

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is estimated that 40 % of people with diabetes have CKD, which consequently leads to increase in morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is leading cause of CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) globally. On the other hand, DKD is independent risk factor for CVDs, stroke and overall mortality. According to the guidelines, using spot urine sample and assessing urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are both mandatory methods for screening of CKD in T2D at diagnosis and at least annually thereafter. Diagnosis of CKD is confirmed by persistent albuminuria followed by a progressive decline in eGFR in two urine samples at an interval of 3 to 6 months. However, many patients with T2D remain underdiagnosed and undertreated, so there is an urgent need to improve the screening by detection of albuminuria at all levels of health care. This review discusses the importance of albuminuria as a marker of CKD and cardiorenal risk and provides insights into the practical aspects of methods for determination of albuminuria in routine clinical care of patients with T2D.

Sudoscan's Effectiveness in Identifying Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant public health issue, particularly prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). CKD occurs in approximately 20% to 40% of adults with diabetes mellitus. Sudoscan potentially detects CKD early, providing a non-invasive and convenient alternative to traditional screening methods that rely on serum creatinine and urine albumin levels. This research involves 271 patients from a single medical center over one year, with all participants providing informed consent. The prevalence of CKD in our group was 26.5% (n = 72). This study integrates a comprehensive examination, including anthropometric measurements, biochemical profiles, and Sudoscan's electrochemical skin conductance testing. CKD diagnosis was confirmed via estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). The aim of this study was to explore the utility of Sudoscan in detecting CKD among patients with T2DM. Statistical analysis reveals moderate correlations between Sudoscan scores and traditional CKD markers like eGFR and albuminuria. It is beneficial in settings where conventional testing is less accessible, suggesting potential for broader CKD screening programs. Key findings suggest that Sudoscan can identify early renal dysfunction with reasonable sensitivity and specificity. Integrating Sudoscan in regular CKD screening could enhance early detection, allowing for timely interventions to prevent progression to end-stage renal disease and reduce healthcare burdens associated with advanced CKD. The results contribute to the ongoing assessment of innovative technologies in managing chronic diseases related to diabetes.

Optimizing Care Delivery in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States: Proceedings of a Multidisciplinary Roundtable Discussion and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Approximately 37 million individuals in the United States (US) have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with CKD have a substantial morbidity and mortality, which contributes to a huge economic burden to the healthcare system. A limited number of clinical pathways or defined workflows exist for CKD care delivery in the US, primarily due to a lower prioritization of CKD care within health systems compared with other areas (e.g., cardiovascular disease [CVD], cancer screening). CKD is a public health crisis and by the year 2040, CKD will become the fifth leading cause of years of life lost. It is therefore critical to address these challenges to improve outcomes in patients with CKD.

METHODS

The CKD Leaders Network conducted a virtual, 3 h, multidisciplinary roundtable discussion with eight subject-matter experts to better understand key factors impacting CKD care delivery and barriers across the US. A premeeting survey identified topics for discussion covering the screening, diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of CKD across the care continuum. Findings from this roundtable are summarized and presented herein.

RESULTS

Universal challenges exist across health systems, including a lack of awareness amongst providers and patients, constrained care team bandwidth, inadequate financial incentives for early CKD identification, non-standardized diagnostic classification and triage processes, and non-centralized patient information. Proposed solutions include highlighting immediate and long-term financial implications linked with failure to identify and address at-risk individuals, identifying and managing early-stage CKD, enhancing efforts to support guideline-based education for providers and patients, and capitalizing on next-generation solutions.

CONCLUSIONS

Payers and other industry stakeholders have opportunities to contribute to optimal CKD care delivery. Beyond addressing the inadequacies that currently exist, actionable tactics can be implemented into clinical practice to improve clinical outcomes in patients at risk for or diagnosed with CKD in the US.

Prevalence and predictors of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetic patients worldwide, systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a complicated, chronic condition that requires ongoing medical attention as well as multiple risk-reduction measures beyond glucose control. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly variable in different parts of the world due to various environmental, ethnic, socioeconomic, and rural-urban differences. Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. This study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of CKD and its associated factors among type 2 diabetes(T2DM) patients, provide scientific evidence for a better understanding of the burden of CKD among diabetes mellitus type 2 patients, and design interventional strategies.

METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist guideline was followed for this review and meta-analysis. The electronic databases (Pub Med, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and grey literature) were searched to retrieve articles by using keywords. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument was used to assess the quality of studies. The meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 17 software. The Meta logistic regression was computed to present the pooled prevalence and Odds ratio (OR) of the determinate factors with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis 20 studies were done in 13 different countries. The pooled magnitude of chronic kidney disease among type 2 DM patients was 27% (95% CI 21%, 33%). The prevalence of chronic kidney disease differs across countries, with the maximum in the USA and the lowest in the United Arab Emirates. Patients with CKD have an elevated risk of severe renal and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, and, more recently, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are among the medications that have been demonstrated to slow the progression of CKD. In this systematic review and meta-analysis increased age, obesity, having a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, smoking history, presence of hypertension, and cardiac heart disease were factors significantly associated with the presence of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was high based on the included 20 articles. The review reported that old age, hypertension, cardiac disease, smoking, obesity, and duration of diabetes mellitus was predictor variable for chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, in order to lower the morbidity and mortality from chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetic patients, it is advised to develop both preventive and curative intervention strategies, such as raising awareness, creating a supportive environment, and prescribing appropriate medication at an early stage.

Development of a novel method for analysing N-acetyl-DL-leucine enantiomers in human fingernail by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and the evaluation in diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Recent research has been reported that N-acetyl-leucine content is significantly reduced in the saliva of diabetic patients, but no reports of detection in human nails have been found. This study aims to develop a novel method for the chiral separation of N-acetyl-DL-leucine (Ac-DL-Leu) in human fingernails to investigate the differences between healthy volunteers (HVs), prediabetes (PDs) and diabetic patients (DPs), and to verify its effectiveness in early warning of diabetes.

METHOD

Chiral resolution was performed using DBD-Apy pre-column derivatization on a C18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 1.9 μm) at 40 ^oC, and detected by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.

RESULTS

The resolution and the limit of detection (LOD) of Ac-DL-Leu were 1.75 and 1.50 fmol, respectively. The linear range of Ac-DL-Leu was 10-2000 fmol and the determination coefficient (R²) was above 0.9997. The recovery of Ac-DL-Leu in human nails was 96.92-105.69%. The contents of Ac-D-Leu and Ac-L-Leu were analyzed in 18 HVs, 13 PDs and 16 DPs fingernails. The results showed that their contents were significantly lower in DPs than in PDs and HVs (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A method for evaluating the effectiveness of Ac-DL-Leu enantiomers in human fingernails as a biomarker for diabetes was firstly developed.

Getting Ahead: A Resident Led Quality Improvement Project to Increase Diabetic Nephropathy Screening in an Underserved Hispanic-Predominant Population

Introduction

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States (US), with 37 million having chronic kidney disease. Despite national guidelines recommendations for diabetic nephropathy screening with urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), less than 50% receive full screening.Our Internal Medicine residents led a quality improvement project to increase diabetic nephropathy screening rate with UACR in our resident clinic by 50% in one academic year.

Methods

We conducted the resident-led quality improvement project from July 2021 to April 2022. We reviewed the electronic medical records (EMR) from our clinic pre-intervention July 2020 to June 2021 and compared this to post intervention July 2021 to March 2022 determining the nephropathy screening rates in patients with diabetes. Our interventions included resident education, pre and post surveys to test foundational knowledge, adding UACR in the affordable laboratory order form and establishing normal reference range of UACR in the EMR.

Results

We collected 217 patients with diabetes, 27% were uninsured, 38% had Medicare/Medicaid and 90% identified as Hispanic. Comparing pre to post intervention, there was a significant change of 45 (20.7%) vs 71 (32.7%) patients screened for diabetic nephropathy with a UACR. The correct average score of knowledge-based questions was 82% on the pre survey, which increased to 88% in the post survey.

Conclusion

Our study showed promising results on improving diabetic nephropathy screening. The comprehensive approach including resident education about diabetic nephropathy screening with UACR and more so facilitating the order set in the EMR were key to achieve this goal.

Relationship between plasma homocysteine and chronic kidney disease in US patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

AIMS

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in US patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

We used data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES). CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² and/or urinary albumin-creatine ratio ≥ 3 mg/mmol.

RESULTS

This study included 1018 patients with T2DM. The mean Hcy value was 10.2 ± 4.6 μmol/L. Among the patients, 417 (40.96%) had hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and 480 (47.15%) had CKD. The Hcy level was higher in patients with CKD than in those without CKD. Compared to patients with normal Hcy, those with HHcy were older and had worse renal function. After full multivariate adjustment, HHcy was positively associated with the risk of CKD in US patients with T2DM (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11-1.22; P <  0.001), which for women was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.08 ~ 1.23; P <  0.001) and for men was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.1 ~ 1.27; P <  0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HHcy was independently associated with CKD in patients with T2DM. Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate the effect of Hcy on CKD in patients with T2DM.

Narrative Review of the Relationship Between CKD and Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are 2 significant complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Up to 40% of patients with DM are expected to also develop CKD, and 19% to 34% will suffer from DFU during their lifetimes. However, data on the link between podiatric risk and the extent of CKD are scarce. Neuropathy, a key element of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) classification, nevertheless appears to be related to the CKD stage. The incidence of DFU and its poor evolution also appear to be linked to the stage of CKD, with mortality reaching its peak in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Whatever, the decrease in the rate of diabetic foot amputation observed worldwide, especially for major amputations, is also observed in patients with ESRD. Specific actions taken for patients undergoing dialysis seems to improve the DFU prognosis. CKD and DFU share a number of elements of pathophysiology, the first of which is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Uremic neuropathy and nutritional status also seem to create a link between the development of the 2 complications. This literature review provides an update on the complex and dynamic relationship between DFU and CKD. It examines the epidemiologic link between CKD and diabetic foot risk, CKD and DFU occurrence, and CKD and DFU prognosis. It focuses on the pathophysiological links between these 2 complications. Finally, it highlights the actions taken to improve management in the ESRD population that have reduced the rate of major amputations in this population by more than half.