The time of early progression of diabetic nephropathy to uremia varies widely on an individualized basis. If patients present with massive proteinuria, severe edema, and deterioration of renal function, they may progress to uremia in 5-15 years without timely treatment; if patients present with mild symptomatic manifestations, normal renal function, and timely treatment the time of progression to uremia may be relatively prolonged.
Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Early light microscopy shows glomerular hypertrophy, mild thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, and mild widening of the tethered zone. With the progression of the disease, the glomerular basement membrane is diffusely thickened and the stroma proliferates, forming typical K-W nodules.
In the early stage of diabetic nephropathy, albuminuria increases significantly, mild hypertension may be present, GFR decreases, but blood creatinine is normal. The disease progresses with massive proteinuria, edema, hypertension and deterioration of renal function, coupled with untimely treatment 5-15 years may progress to uremia; if the patient is treated regularly, renal function is normal and symptoms are mild, the progression to uremia may be prolonged.
Early diabetic nephropathy should go to the hospital in time, early treatment under the guidance of professional physicians to avoid delay.