Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes

AIMS: To assess the role of kidney disease measures on the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension (HT).

METHODS: Clinical records from a total of 17,160 patients with T2D and HT, a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values ≥60mL/min/1.73m(2), evaluation for albuminuria and regular visits during a four-year follow-up were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of eGFR <60mL/min/1.73m(2) and/or a reduction >30% from baseline was evaluated.

RESULTS: At baseline 23% of patients (n=3873) had albuminuria. Over the 4-year follow-up 20% (n=3480) developed a renal endpoint 28% (n=1074) of those with albuminuria and 17% (n=2406) of those without albuminuria. The presence of baseline albuminuria entailed a 1.8 independent, greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD. Patients with normal albuminuria showed a 1.54 (p<0.001) greater risk for each 5mL reduction (below 90mL/min) in baseline GFR.

CONCLUSIONS: In T2D patients with HT, eGFR reduction and albuminuria are independently associated with a greater risk of developing stage 3 CKD. While baseline albuminuria entails a greater renal risk, due to a larger occurrence of the non-albuminuric phenotype, renal function worsening is more likely to be observed in patients without albuminuria.