An Update on Diabetic Kidney Disease: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment
A Special Issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729) belonging to the section "Medical Research".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 7056
Editor
Interests: diabetic nephropathy; diabetic kidney disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Diabetes mellitus is becoming a global epidemic in all parts of the world, with a consequent increase in the complications of diabetes. Kidney disease occurs in 35–40% of all patients with diabetes and is the most common cause of end-stage kidney failure, often needing renal replacement therapy. While several advances have occurred in our understanding of its pathogenesis and even more impressive developments have taken place in the recent past relating to the management of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), there remain significant gaps in the etiopathogenesis of this condition and, hence, there is no optimal therapy to prevent its development or halt its progression. The role of uncontrolled hyperglycemia and systemic hypertension in the causation and progression of DKD is well established. Furthermore, the impact of activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) on the pathogenesis and progression is clearly evident by the therapeutic success of inhibitors of RAAS. Recently, we have witnessed an explosive growth in investigative reports on the various aspects of pathogenesis, biomarker development and exploration of genetic and epigenetic factors. Newer research methodologies such as NextGen sequencing and single-cell RNA studies, confocal microscopy and other advanced imaging technics have helped to identify novel disease mechanisms and new pathogenic pathways and expanded the clinical spectrum with the characterization of non-proteinuric variants. Specifically, the past decade was notable for several successful therapeutic randomized clinical trials involving SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists and mineralocorticoid receptor blockers, which resulted in more therapeutic options to slow down DKD. The presentation of the various aforementioned developments in pathogenesis as well as novel therapeutic strategies in several state-of-the-art manuscripts is the primary focus of this Special Issue.
We encourage the submission of manuscripts that highlight the epidemiology of DKD and explore emerging therapeutic approaches including, but not limited to, the following general topics:
- Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus and DKD demographics, incidence and prevalence;
- Medial management of DKD;
- RAAS inhibitors;
- Recent clinical trials: SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists; aldosterone receptor antagonists in DKD;
- Dietary interventions for DKD;
- Natural remedies and complimentary therapies;
- Treatment options in diabetic ESRD: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis;
- Organ transplantation in diabetic nephropathy.
For readers interested in the pathophysiological mechanisms of DKD, please visit the Special Issue, https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/SWJ22TX359.
Prof. Dr. Sharma Prabhakar
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- diabetic kidney disease
- epithelial–mesenchymal transition
- renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system sodium glucose transporter 2
- albuminuria
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