[Renal failure secondary to diabetic nephropathy. A review of the characteristics of the diabetic patients who started dialysis in Catalonia in 1994].

The appearance of diabetic nephropathy and its progression towards renal failure can be prevented if an early treatment is instituted. However, diabetes is currently one of the main causes of entry into a dialysis program. Therefore, the diagnostic characteristics of renal disease in 105 patients who started dialysis in Catalonia in 1994 were reviewed; the presence of other changes associated with diabetes were assessed. The results showed that 81.7% of patients had proteinuria higher than 0.5 g/24 h, and 40.5% had plasma creatinine higher than 5 mg/dl at the first nephrological control. As a result, the period between diagnosis of nephropathy and the inclusion in the dialysis program was very short (3.7 years) and considerably shorter than that reflected in literature for other countries, whereas the incidence of other micro and macrovascular complications was similar. Remarkably, a high number of smokers and treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs (33%) at the end stage of renal failure was observed. These results suggest that follow-up of diabetics should be more exhaustive and serial tests be performed to detect nephropathy early. An appropriate control during renal failure stage can also postpone the disease progression and avoid the appearance of complications which at present have a high morbid-mortality and high cost.