Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetic Nephropathy Among Saudi Type-1 Diabetic Patients in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

We investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of DNP in T1DM patients in Taif city, Saudi Arabia, where the renal diseases are prevalent. The incidence of diabetic nephropathy (DNP) is increasing in Saudi Arabia, and the country is also ranked 4th in terms of the number of diagnosed type-1 diabetes (T1DM) patients.

The retrospective cohort study was conducted with type-1 diabetes patients registered at King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia. A total of 198 patients (aged > 18 years), had T1DM for more than 5 years with documented albuminuria; albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g creatinine in two of three urine samples or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m², were included in the study. Patients' demographic and laboratory data were collected from medical records. A regression analysis model was used to identify risk factors for DNP. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

The overall prevalence of DNP was 23.7% in our study group, with 8% having low eGFR alone, 20.71% having positive ACR and 6.22% having both positive ACR and low eGFR. A statistically significant correlation between DNP and risk factors was found for uncontrolled and longer duration of T1DM, elevated ACR, and hypertension (P < 0.05). No statistical significance was found for age, sex, or body mass index (BMI).

The prevalence of DNP in T1DM patients in Taif city was higher (23.7%) than the pooled average prevalence in Saudi Arabia (20.59%). Patients' education regarding glycemic and blood pressure control could reduce the burden.