Diabetic kidney disease screening status and related factors: a cross-sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes in six provinces in China

To understand the awareness and practice of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) or nephropathy screening among community-based patients with type 2 diabetes in six provinces and cities in China, and to analyse the related factors affecting screening practices.

From December 2021 to March 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire in 6230 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 18 years and older. The content of the questionnaire includes three parts: the general situation of diabetic patients (gender, age, ethnicity, marriage, education, occupation, etc.), DKD screening practices, and the evaluation of DKD screening services.

89.70% of the patients had their fasting blood glucose measured every six months, 21.12% of the patients had their glycosylated hemoglobin measured every six months, and only 13.11% and 9.34% of the patients had a urine protein-creatinine ratio test and estimated glomerular filtration rate test every 12 months. The proportions of glycosylated hemoglobin, urine protein-creatinine ratio, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were relatively high in young, northern, highly educated, and long-duration type 2 diabetic patients.

The results of this survey found that the proportion of urine protein-creatinine ratio testing, estimated glomerular filtration rate testing, and glycosylated hemoglobin testing in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes was very low. Patients with type 2 diabetes in rural areas, southern areas, with low education level, and short course of disease have lower detection rates for DKD, and hence lower rates of prevention and treatment.