[Differences in the dietary intake of diabetics with and without early nephropathy]

The dietary regimen of 70 patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is discussed. 24 of these patients are with microalbuminuria (initial nephropathy). The age of manifestation of diabetes and the mean age of these patients are lower and the retinopathy is more frequent than in the patients without microalbuminuria. Only 18% of the diabetic patients studied keep a diet according to contemporary conceptions. In the group with initial nephropathy a higher consumption of fat (130.9 +/- 42.5 g) and proteins (109.6 +/- 28.8 g) is registered than in the other patients. There are no significant differences in the consumption of carbohydrates and fiber products. The possible role of longterm high consumption of fats and proteins by patients with diabetes mellitus in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy is discussed.