The gaps between the guidelines definitions and routine of care adopted in primary health care regarding diabetes kidney disease: a real-life study

To characterize the population with type 2 diabetes mellitus followed at primary health care in relation to stage of kidney disease, risk factors associated with its progression and with cardiovascular disease.

Laboratorial parameters of 427 individuals were assessed to identify stage and progression of kidney disease, effectiveness of metabolic control and of risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and percentage of spending for each risk category.

Diabetic kidney disease prevalence was 35.3%, and 11.5% of individuals were classified as at high or very high risk to renal failure progression. Analysis of a subgroup of 227 patients showed 78.4% of them as having high- and excessive risk for negative outcomes and consuming 85% of financial resources. Just 2% of participants had cardiometabolic parameters properly treated.

This real-life study showed that diabetic kidney disease continues to be a challenge public health problem, with an urgent need of efforts to mitigate the gaps between guidelines and strategies adopted in primary health care.