Kidney disease due to hyperglycemia starts early in prediabetic state itself

Kidney disease due to hyperglycemia starts early in prediabetic state itself

Prediabetes might be a target for early treatment to prevent chronic kidney disease in chronic hyperglycemia. A study of 1,261 nondiabetic people aged 50 to 62 years has suggested that apparently healthy persons who have blood sugar levels higher than normal, but not yet in the diabetic range are still at risk of developing kidney damage. Such individuals are more likely to have glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria.

In the study, 595 people were found to have slightly abnormal blood glucose levels. And these individuals had higher probability of having glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria at 5-years follow up compared to those who had normal blood sugar levels, indicating early kidney damage.

Glomerular hyperfiltration (defined as GFR >90th percentile, adjusted for sex, age, weight, height, and use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors) and albuminuria is thought to contribute to kidney damage in diabetes.

The findings of the study by Dr Toralf Melsom of the University of North Norway and colleagues are published online December 29 in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.

People with slightly elevated blood sugar should focus on lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, increasing physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight.