A collaborative approach to diabetes nephropathy prevention.

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major complications of diabetes and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (40 percent). Diabetes and its complications take a huge toll on the quality of life of those affected. There are substantial costs for both individuals and the health-care system and projections of the increasing incidence of diabetes over the next 12 years serve to increase the sense of urgency of efforts to prevent diabetes and its complications. For people who develop diabetic nephropathy, the kidneys gradually lose the ability to function properly. Treatment of ESRD by renal replacement therapy (RRT), e.g. dialysis, results in a decreased quality of life and is costly and time consuming. However, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) identify and provide evidence for early management and treatment to prevent diabetic nephropathy as well as heart attacks, strokes and retinopathy.