[Diabetic nephropathy]

Diabetic nephropathy can impact on quality of life, morbidity and mortality of affected patients. The prognosis can be improved by early diagnosis and therapy. The association between renal insufficiency, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is of importance. Annual nephropathy screening should involve the analyses of albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). After having detected albuminuria or reduced GFR, renal ultrasound imaging and microscopic examination of the urine sediment is necessary. Patients with abnormal or ambiguous findings should be referred to a nephrologist and may require a renal biopsy. Patients with renal complications can benefit from a goal-orientated intervention involving an antidiabetic, antihypertensive and lipid-modifying therapy. The avoidance of potentially nephrotoxic prescriptions and a renal function dependent dose-adjustment of medications are of importance in patients with declining renal function.