What is Diabetic Nephropathy?

Diabetic nephropathy, also known as Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome is damage to the kidneys caused by diabetes, and in severe cases it can lead to kidney failure or death. It is the most common cause of chronic kidney failure in the United States. This disease was discovered by British physician Clifford Wilson and German-born American physician Paul Kimmelstiel, and was published for the first time in 1936

Diabetic nephropathy can be caused when high blood sugar from diabetes destroys the tiny blood vessels (nephrons) that filter waste from the blood. As time passes and the kidneys are being damaged they aren’t able to do their job as well, and eventually they will stop working completely causing kidney failure. Over time the nephrons thicken and slowly become scarred. The kidneys also begin to leak and protein passes into the urine. This damage can happen years before any symptoms begin and are noticeable.

Although it is still a mystery to doctors why only some people who have diabetes will get kidney damage, for example out of a 100 people with diabetes, only about 40 will get kidney damage; they do know that other certain factors can lead one to diabetic nephropathy. For example people who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoke are at a higher risk. Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics, especially Mexican Americans, also have a higher risk of developing this disease. Family history may also be a cause.