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

It is estimated that one in ten people in the USA have diabetes. Approximately 40% of those with diabetes also develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), which in turn increases their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and concomitant CKD are provided by several medical societies, including the American Diabetes Association (ADA), but in real life are only carried out in fewer than 50% of individuals for whom they are recommended. Screening for CKD is recommended using the spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate in all patients with T2D at the time of diagnosis, and at least annually thereafter. Screening enables early CKD diagnosis, counseling, pharmacologic intervention and, when appropriate, referral to a nephrologist. The ADA guidelines recommend good glycemic and blood pressure control and the use of medications that are kidney protective. Medications shown to slow progression of CKD include renin–angiotensin system inhibitors, sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and, more recently, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Novel agents with different mechanisms of action are also in development that have the potential to further slow or prevent disease progression when used with currently recommended therapies.