Primary glomerulonephritis complicating diabetic nephropathy: report of seven cases and review of the literature.

Glomerulonephritis has been recognized as a rare complication of diabetes mellitus. The clinical, pathologic, and laboratory findings for 18 diabetic patients were reviewed. Eight of these patients (44 per cent) were found to have primary glomerulonephritis in addition to diabetic nephropathy. Although this series may not represent the true incidence of complicating glomerulonephritis in diabetes, it is probable that the incidence of this condition has been underestimated. An additional 26 previously reported cases are reviewed.