Abstract
We studied the correlation between reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the increased risk of arteriosclerosis by diabetic nephropathy stage. Subjects were 576 diabetic outpatients (male 53%, mean age 65 years). The prevalence of reduced estimated GFR (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2) was 29% in those without nephropathy, 40% in those with incipient nephropathy, and 67% in those with overt nephropathy. In a comparison of cardiovascular risk factors between the patients with and without reduced eGFR, those with reduced eGFR were significantly older and had significantly higher uric acid than those without in every stage of nephropathy. In cases of no and incipient nephropathy, reduced eGFR correlated with increased pulse wave velocity and decreased serum HDL cholesterol. In cases of no nephropathy, moreover, those with reduced eGFR had a longer diabetes duration, higher pulse pressure, and higher hypertension and dyslipidemia prevalence than those without. Our study indicates that diabetic patients with reduced GFR have an increased risk of developing arteriosclerosis from the stage of no nephropathy.
