Diabetes and kidney failure
According to Diabetes Australia, diabetes is the fastest growing cause of kidney failure today. About 30 per cent of people with diabetes will develop kidney disease, making it the leading cause of kidney failure (end stage renal disease — when the kidneys fail to filter the blood) in Western countries.
Up to 50 per cent of people receiving treatment for kidney failure in dialysis centres in Australia will have diabetes.
But the news is not all bad.
International prevention trials have shown that kidney damage in diabetes can be delayed or prevented by improving blood glucose control and by lowering blood pressure.
So, if you have diabetes, talk to your doctor today about having regular checks of your kidney function.
Last Reviewed: 11 November 2003
