Aims: To investigate the association between estimated baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal function decline in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes with normoalbuminuria.
Main Methods: A longitudinal study was performed on 368 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes whose estimated GFR (eGFR) was determined at baseline with a 3.12-year follow-up. The patients were divided into three groups according to baseline eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2): G1 (eGFR ≥ 120), G2 (90 ≤ eGFR < 120), G3 (60 ≤ eGFR < 90). The association between baseline eGFR and the renal function decline rate was assessed using binary logistic regression. Decliners were defined as a negative change ≥ −3.3% per year.
Key Findings: Among G1 patients, the decliners were younger, had a higher baseline eGFR, shorter duration of diabetes, and lower diastolic blood pressure, compared with non-decliners. The G1 eGFR decline slope (% per year) was significantly higher than that in G2 and G3 patients. The percentage of decliners among G1 patients was significantly higher than that among G2 and G3 patients. Baseline eGFR group, HbA1c, hypertension history, and diastolic blood pressure were independent risk factors for progressive renal decline. Patients in the decliners group were more likely to progress to microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria compared with those in the non-decliners group; however, the albuminruria progression percentage was not significantly different among G1, G2, and G3 decliners.
Significance: Patients with baseline eGFR ≥ 120 mL/min/1.73 m2 had a higher risk for more rapid eGFR decline among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes with nomalbuminuria.
J. Wan: None. H. Chen: None.