Non-diabetic renal disease in diabetic patients

The occurrence of non-diabetic renal diseases (NDRD) in diabetic patient is well recognized. Different frequencies for NDRD have been reported from different parts of the world. This is a retrospective study of 16 renal biopsies from diabetic patients. The biopsy samples were all examined by light, immunofluoresence and electron microscopy. Non-diabetic renal diseases were encountered in eight cases (50%). Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) was the most common NDRD seen in three of the eight cases (37.5%). Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I (MPGN) and postinfectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) were seen in one case each (12.5%). Interstitial nephritis was seen in two cases representing 25% of NDRD. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates the occurrence of NDRD in diabetic patients and the most frequently encountered lesion was MGN. Thus, renal biopsy in diabetic patients may prove to be helpful in identifying an underlying NDRD for better management.