Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetes is the single biggest cause of kidney disease in India. The damage is silent for years — but screening and good control can substantially lower the risk.
Medically reviewed by the RIIMS nephrology team · Last updated: June 2026
How does diabetes damage the kidneys?
Diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy) develops when years of high blood sugar slowly damage the kidney's fine filters. It is the single biggest cause of kidney disease in India, and it is usually silent for a long time — the earliest clue is often microalbumin (a tiny amount of protein) in the urine, appearing long before creatinine rises. The encouraging truth is that not everyone with diabetes develops it, and tight sugar control, good blood-pressure control and regular screening can substantially lower the risk and slow it down. Care always works alongside your diabetes treatment, never instead of it.
Symptoms to watch for
- Usually silent for years — screening matters
- Microalbumin in urine on testing
- Gradually rising creatinine / falling eGFR
- Swelling in feet as damage advances
- Blood pressure becoming harder to control
- Frequent night-time urination
When to consult a kidney doctor
Everyone with diabetes should have kidney tests (urine ACR + eGFR) at least once a year. If anything is abnormal — or sugar is hard to control — consult early.