Management of diabetic nephropathy in older patients: a need for flexible guidelines

As the population ages and diabetes mellitus increases in prevalence, the incidence of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is becoming a disease of older people (aged ≥ 75 years). As the epidemiology of diabetes mellitus and DN shifts toward this patient population, the pathogenesis of DN in old age is changing: the pathologic findings suggest ischemia and hypertension, and the classic Kimmelstiel-Wilson lesions may be absent. The demographic shift in the epidemiology and the associated changes in pathology because of aging and atherosclerosis will have a significant impact on various aspects related to the disease in old age. This article reviews the authors' current understanding of DN and its implications on clinical management relevant to current guidelines.