A large meta-analysis of 46 studies involving nearly 25,000 Brazilian adults with diabetes found that about 27% have diabetic kidney disease (DKD). This condition damages the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure if not managed early.
The study looked at how common DKD is across different groups. People who had diabetes for 10 years or more had a higher rate (33%) compared to those with diabetes for less than 10 years (24%). The rates were similar for type 1 (29%) and type 2 diabetes (29%).
How DKD was diagnosed also mattered. When using only a urine test for protein (albuminuria), the rate was 32%. When using only a blood test for kidney function (eGFR), it was 18%. Using both tests together gave a rate of 31%. This shows that using both tests gives a more complete picture.
There were also differences by region. The South region of Brazil had the highest rate at 41%, but data from the North and Northeast were limited. The researchers noted high variation between studies, so the numbers should be interpreted with caution.
Overall, this study highlights that DKD is common among Brazilian adults with diabetes. It also shows the need for standard ways to diagnose and track the condition across the country to improve care and prevention.
