Abstract
Background: Diabetic nephropathy or Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) became a major public health concern world-wide because it is a major cause of end stage renal disease. Early intervention can significantly improve the prognosis. Urinary podocyte-associated protein is elevated in patients with DKD, so it is a promising way in early detection of DKD.
Aim of Study: To investigate the role of podocyte associated protein in early detection of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study was done on 90 patients divided equally into three groups (normoalbu-miuria, microalbumiuria and macroalbumiuria) plus 10 healthy individuals as controls.
Results: All diabetic patients had a higher level of urinary podocyte-associated protein than control group. Also, there was positive correlation between urinary podocyte-associated protein and the degree of albuminuria. So, it was increased with the severity of renal involvement.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that measurement of urinary podocyte-associated protein is a potential biomarker for the early detection of DKD.