Punit Gupta, Itishree Pandey
The present study was conducted in the Nephrology Unit, Department of Medicine, Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India, involving 42 patients, 20 with diabetic nephropathy and 22 non-diabetic controls. Our findings indicate a slight male predominance in the cases group with a mean age of 55.05 years. Notably, 45% of the patients were in Stage IV diabetic nephropathy with none in Stage I or II. Hemoglobin levels exceeded 11 gm% in 70% of the cases, with a mean of 11.75 ± 2.88 gm%. The mean eGFR was 68.97 ± 25.75 ml/min/1.73 sq.m, and 45% of cases had eGFR between 60-89 ml/min/1.73 sq.m. Serum creatinine levels were similar between cases and controls. Echocardiographic abnormalities were prevalent in all diabetic nephropathy patients, with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction being the most common. Coronary and renal angiography indicated significant coronary artery disease in 60% of cases and 72% of controls, with no significant difference between groups. Renal artery stenosis was observed in 26.67% of cases and 22.72% of controls, also without significant difference. Hypertension in cases was associated with a higher incidence of coronary artery disease and renal artery stenosis. These findings highlight the cardiovascular and renal challenges faced by diabetic nephropathy patients in tribal areas.