Imagine trying to guess which car will break down next month just by looking at its engine once. That is the challenge this study faced. Researchers looked at 119 adults with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease to see if specific proteins in their urine could warn of trouble. They measured podocin, nephrin, and a ratio of the two at the very start of the study.
Over the next 12 months, 19 people saw their kidney function drop, and 17 saw their urine protein levels rise. The study found that the urine markers were numerically higher in the people whose kidneys got worse. However, the difference was not strong enough to be considered significant. The test did not reliably separate those who would progress from those who would stay stable.
The study also had limits. Data for urine protein levels was missing for half the participants after the start. Because of this, and the weak prediction results, single urine tests for these proteins may not be useful on their own for a one-year outlook. Larger studies tracking these markers over time are needed before doctors can rely on them.