[Kidney changes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy]

On 42 patients (25 males, 17 females) at the age of 46.1 +/- 13.4 years with a proliferative diabetic retinopathy clinical and laboratory examinations were performed for the proof of a renal lesion. This disease was found in 59.5% of the cases. In the foreground of the pathological findings were a proteinuria, a restriction of the creatinine clearance and of the concentration power of the kidneys as well as the hypertension. The diabetic nephropathy had its peak of frequency between the 50th and 60th year of age and showed significant relations to the duration of diabetes as well as to be early age of manifestation. Close ophthalmological and nephrological examinations, particularly of the juvenile diabetics, should render possible an early recognition and treatment of the diabetic microangiopathy.