Mortality from diabetic nephropathy in the United Kingdom

Deaths in diabetic subjects dying under 50 years of age in the United Kingdom during 1979 have been analysed with special reference to diabetic nephropathy. Fifteen percent of 447 deaths were from nephropathy. Uraemic deaths from nephropathy were particularly common in those whose diabetes was diagnosed under 31 years old, and responsible for over one-quarter of deaths in this age group. Most deaths from nephropathy occur before 30 years' duration of diabetes and are rare in those of longer duration, suggesting that some diabetic patients are more and others less prone to this complication. There were more men than women in a ratio of approximately 1.3:1. Severe retinopathy is usually present in end-stage renal failure causing blindness in one out of three cases, and impaired vision in a further one out of three. Blind patients were not otherwise more severely affected by diabetic complications than others. It is estimated that approximately three-quarters of the diabetic subjects who develop end-stage renal failure from nephropathy may be suitable for dialysis or transplantation.