Renal cortical stiffness obtained by shear wave elastography imaging is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes...

It is known that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who develop diabetic nephropathy have increased renal cortical stiffness (CS) determined by shear wave elastography (SWE). However, there is no data in the literature to our knowledge related to CS values determined by SWE in type 2 DM patients with normal renal function. In this study, we aimed to investigate the change of renal CS obtained by SWE examination in type 2 DM patients with normal renal function compared to non DM patients.

A total of 103 patients (86 males, 17 females and mean age 63.2 ± 11.8 years) with or without type 2 DM were included in the study. The eGFR value of all patients was > 60 ml/kg/1.73². Routine history, physical examination and laboratory examinations were performed. In addition to routine renal ultrasonography (USG), renal resistive index (RRI), renal pulsatility index (RPI), accelerated time (AT), and CS were measured.

Fifty patients with type 2 DM and 53 patients without type 2 DM were included in the study. Patients with type 2 DM had higher blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen and HbA1c levels (p < 0.05 each one). Renal length and width and echogenicity were similar between two groups with conventional renal USG. Renal parenchyma thickness was higher in patients with type 2 DM. When the findings of renal Doppler USG were examined, RRI was similar between two groups. RPI and AT were higher in patients with type 2 DM. CS values obtained with renal SWE were significantly higher in patients with type 2 DM (p < 0.05).

Cortical stiffness value obtained by SWE is significantly higher in type 2 DM patients with normal renal function compared to patients without DM. We recommend CS measurement as part of routine screening of nephropathy in patients with type 2 DM and normal renal function to guide management and treatment plan.