[Diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency]

In the nineties of the 20th century diabetic nephropathy has become the leading cause of regular dialysis treatment (RDT) in developed countries. In particular type 2 diabetics are involved. A similar trend can be observed also in the Czech Republic which holds in this respect the first place among countries of the former eastern block (33% patients with RDT) suffer from diabetes. The cause of the increase of patients with diabetic nephropathy and renal failure caused by diabetes is not only the rising prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes in the population but in particular the better care provided to patients with type 2 diabetes which enables them to survive macro- and microvascular complications incl. diabetic nephropathy. It is estimated that diabetic nephropathy affects 4-8% patients attending diabetic clinics. With regard to the increasing number of diabetics in RDT, moreover associated with their high polymorbidity, this is a serious medical and economic problem. The main factors which influence in the diabetic patients the risk of development of diabetic nephropathy are long-term control of glycaemia, genetic (ethnic) factors, age and sex. The decisive factor influencing in patients with diabetic nephropathy the progression of chronic renal insufficiency is control of the blood pressure. Including diabetics in RDT is not associated only with medical problems but also with socio-economic issues. The quality of life of diabetics is much lower and the survival of diabetics treated within the framework of RDT is still almost half as compared with the survival of non-diabetic patients. Decision on the selection of the dialysis method is not easy. Medical differences are well defined but should not be considered absolute. It is important to consider also which method is preferred by the patient. Optimally the decision is taken during the period of dispensarization. Both dialyzation methods have comparable results and survival although for diabetics under 50 years of age a more favourable prognosis of peritoneal dialysis is reported. However, the risk of "failure of the method" is in general higher in peritoneal dialysis.