Impaired Glomerular Filtration Rate in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Subjects: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Thailand

Background: Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients with impaired renal function have a higher risk of mortality, and often progress to end-stage renal disease. The study aims to determine the prevalence of kidney disease and investigate the relationship between various factors and impaired renal function in a large population of patients with T2DM.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 30,377 patients from a nationwide diabetes study involving 602 Thai hospitals. Impaired glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was defined as <60 mL/min per 1.73 m. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association between standard risk factors and impaired GFR.

Results: The prevalence of impaired GFR in a T2DM population was 39.2%. After adjusting for multiple risk factors, advanced age (adjusted OR 11.69 (95%CI = 3.13 to 43.61)), macroalbuminuria (adjusted OR 3.54 (95%CI = 1.50 to 8.40)), high serum uric acid (adjusted OR 2.06 (95%CI = 1.73 to 2.46)), systolic BP 130-139 mmHg (adjusted OR 3.21 (95%CI = 1.30 to 7.96)), hemoglobinA1C (HA1C) <6% (adjusted OR 3.71 (95%CI = 1.65 to 8.32)), and HA1C >7% (adjusted OR 2.53 (95%CI = 1.38 to 4.63)) were found to be associated with a significantly increased risk of impaired GFR among T2DM patients.

Conclusion: Almost 40% of patients with T2DM in a nationwide cross-sectional study in Thailand had impaired GFR. Advanced age, albuminuria, hyperuricemia, hypertension, HA1C <6%, and HA1C >7% were independently associated with increased prevalence of impaired GFR.