Combined changes in albuminuria and kidney function and subsequent risk for kidney failure in type 2 diabetes

Is eGFR Slope a Novel Predictor of Chronic Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Diabetic kidney disease affects approximately 40% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is associated with an increased risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and cardiovascular (CV) events, as well as increased mortality. Among the indicators of decline in renal function, the eGFR slope is acquiring an increasing clinical interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate, through a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of the collected data, the association between the decline of the eGFR slope, chronic complications, and mortality of T2DM patients, in order to understand whether or not the eGFR slope can be defined as a predictive indicator of complications in T2DM.

Methods

The review and meta-analysis were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines considering published studies on patients with T2DM. A scientific literature search was carried out on PubMed from January 2003 to April 2023 with subsequent selection of scientific papers according to the inclusion criteria.

Results

Fifteen studies were selected for meta-analysis. Risk analysis as hazard ratio (HR) indicated a significant association between all events considered (all-cause mortality, CV events, ESKD, and microvascular events) for patients with steeper eGFR slope decline than subjects with stable eGFR. Calculated HRs (with 95% CI) were as follows: for all-cause mortality, 2.31 (1.70-3.15); for CV events, 1.73 (1.43-2.08); for ESKD, 1.54 (1.45-1.64); and for microvascular events, 2.07 (1.57-2.73). Overall HR was 1.82 (1.72-1.92).

Conclusions

An association between rapid eGFR decline and chronic diabetes complications was demonstrated, suggesting that eGFR slope variability significantly impacts the course of T2DM and that eGFR slope should be considered as a predictor for chronic complications in patients with T2DM. According to the obtained results, the therapeutic management of the patient with diabetes should not focus exclusively on glycaemic control, and particular attention should be paid to preserve renal function.

Consensus Statements from the Diabetologists & Endocrinologists Alliance for the Management of People with Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are important, intertwined public health issues. People with both conditions face significantly elevated risks of cardiovascular (CV) and renal complications. To optimize patient care, a multidisciplinary expert panel met to review recent evidence on optimal blood pressure (BP) targets, implications of albuminuria, and treatment regimens for hypertensive patients with T2DM, with the aim of providing recommendations for physicians in Hong Kong. The panel reviewed the relevant literature, obtained by searching PubMed for the publication period from January 2015 to June 2021, to address five discussion areas: (i) BP targets based on CV/renal benefits; (ii) management of isolated systolic or diastolic hypertension; (iii) roles of angiotensin II receptor blockers; (iv) implications of albuminuria for CV/renal events and treatment choices; and (v) roles and tools of screening for microalbuminuria. The panel held three virtual meetings using a modified Delphi method to address the discussion areas. After each meeting, consensus statements were derived and anonymously voted on by every panelist. A total of 17 consensus statements were formulated based on recent evidence and expert insights regarding cardioprotection and renoprotection for hypertensive patients with T2DM.

Interleukin-18 and Gelsolin Are Associated with Acute Kidney Disease after Cardiac Catheterization

Patients undergoing cardiac catheterization are at high risk of post-procedure acute kidney injury (AKI) and may experience persistent renal damage after an initial insult, a state known as acute kidney disease (AKD). However, the association between AKD and urinary renal biomarkers has not yet been evaluated in this population. We enrolled 94 patients who underwent elective cardiac catheterization to investigate patterns of urinary renal biomarkers and their associations with post-procedure AKD. Serial urinary renal biomarker levels were measured during pre-procedure, early post-procedure (12–24 h), and late post-procedure (7–10 days) periods. In our investigation, 42.55% of the enrolled patients developed AKD during the late post-procedure period. While the liver-type free-fatty-acid-binding protein level increased sharply during the early post-procedure period, it returned to baseline during the late post-procedure period. In contrast, interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels increased steadily during the post-procedure period. Early post-procedure ratios of IL-18 and gelsolin (GSN) were independently associated with subsequent AKD (odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 4.742 (1.523–14.759) for IL-18 ratio, p = 0.007; 1.812 (1.027–3.198) for GSN ratio, p = 0.040). In conclusion, post-procedure AKD is common and associated with early changes in urinary IL-18 and GSN in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Changes in urinary albumin as a surrogate for kidney disease progression in people with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether urinary albumin changes can predict subsequent kidney disease progression in people with diabetes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 4570 Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The exposure was changes in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) over 3 years, categorized into three categories: ≤ - 30%, minor change, or ≥ 30%. During the exposure period, eGFR decline was also examined and categorized into two categories: < 30% or ≥ 30% decline. The primary outcome was the composite of eGFR halving or initiation of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The secondary outcome was the initiation of KRT.

RESULTS

In the spline model, the hazard ratio for the primary outcome increased linearly on the log₂ scale of UACR changes. When classified into six groups based on the categories of UACR changes and eGFR decline, people with a ≤ - 30% UACR change and < 30% eGFR decline had a 38% lower incidence of the outcome compared to those with a minor UACR change and < 30% eGFR decline. Meanwhile, the risk in those with a ≤ - 30% UACR change and ≥ 30% eGFR decline was 2.89 times. People with a ≥ 30% UACR change had the higher risk, regardless of whether a ≥ 30% eGFR decline occurred. Similar results were obtained in the secondary outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

UACR changes can be a useful surrogate for kidney disease progression in people with T2D. However, when setting a decrease in UACR as the surrogate, it may be necessary to simultaneously evaluate kidney function decline.

Finerenone and effects on mortality in chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes: a FIDELITY analysis

AIMS

Finerenone reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We investigated the causes of mortality in the FIDELITY population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The FIDELITY prespecified pooled data analysis from FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD excluded patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Outcomes included intention-to-treat and prespecified on-treatment analyses of the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Of 13 026 patients [mean age, 64.8 years; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 57.6 mL/min/1.73 m2], 99.8% were on renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. Finerenone reduced the incidence of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality vs. placebo (8.5% vs. 9.4% and 4.9% vs. 5.6%, respectively) and demonstrated significant on-treatment reductions [hazard ratio (HR), 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.70-0.96; P = 0.014 and HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67-0.99; P = 0.040, respectively]. Cardiovascular-related mortality was most common, and finerenone lowered the incidence of sudden cardiac death vs. placebo [1.3% (incidence rate 0.44/100 patient-years) vs. 1.8% (0.58/100 patient-years), respectively; HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57-0.996; P = 0.046]. The effects of finerenone on mortality were similar across all Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes risk groups. Event probability with finerenone at 4 years was consistent irrespective of baseline urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, but seemingly more pronounced in patients with higher baseline eGFR.

CONCLUSION

In FIDELITY, finerenone significantly reduced the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality vs. placebo in patients with T2D across a broad spectrum of CKD stages while on treatment, as well as sudden cardiac death in the intention-to-treat population.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT02540993 and NCT02545049, respectively (funded by Bayer AG).

Use of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio Based on KDIGO 2012 Guideline in a Thai Community Hospital: Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease and its Risk Factors

BACKGROUND Kidney disease is hard to detect at its early stage; therefore, the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 guideline was developed for improving care and outcomes of patients with kidney disease. This study aimed to determine clinical outcomes from applying this guideline in a community hospital service. MATERIAL AND METHODS The patients' data were extracted from their medical records and analyzed for outcomes of using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) for detecting kidney disease. RESULTS The eGFR was utilized in 36 172 patients aged ≥18 years, and 76.86% of them had normal kidney function. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was 8.20%; most patients (68%) with CKD were in stages 3a and 3b. The most common causes of CKD were diabetes and hypertension. The UACR was mainly used in patients with diabetes. The percentage of patients with UACR ≥3 mg/mmol creatinine alone was significantly higher than that of patients with eGFR.

Association Between Sleep Duration and Albuminuria in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ningbo, China

PURPOSE

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can lead to microvascular complications including diabetic kidney disease. Albuminuria is an important marker to diagnose kidney injury in T2DM patients and healthy sleep duration is important for maintaining good health in patients with T2DM. However, the association between sleep duration and albuminuria in T2DM patients is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between sleep duration and albuminuria in patients with T2DM in Ningbo, China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at National Metabolic Management Centre (MMC) - Ningbo First Hospital from March 2018 to February 2021. Adult patients with T2DM were included in the study. The sleep duration (daytime and nocturnal) was self-reported. Albuminuria was defined as the presence of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the association.

RESULTS

There were 2688 T2DM patients in the study. In the unadjusted model (1), the odds of albuminuria increased with the daytime sleep duration (31-60 minutes: OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.09-1.71; ≥61 minutes: 1.73, 1.33-2.24). Similarly, after adjusting for age and sex (model 2), the odds of albuminuria increased with the daytime sleep duration (31-60 minutes: 1.34, 1.07-1.68; ≥61 minutes: 1.69, 1.30-2.20). After adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, overweight/obesity, hypertension, hyperuricaemia, duration of T2DM, glycated haemoglobin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker usage and nocturnal sleep duration (model 3), the odds of albuminuria increased with the daytime sleep duration (31-60 minutes: 1.33, 1.04-1.71; ≥61 minutes: 1.71, 1.29-2.26). However, no relationship was found between nocturnal sleep duration and albuminuria.

CONCLUSION

Longer daytime sleep is found to be associated with albuminuria in patients with T2DM in Ningbo, China but no association is found between nocturnal sleep duration and albuminuria. The findings are exploratory, and there is a need for longitudinal studies on this topic.