OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus causes micro and macro-vascular changes in the body, and this includes diabetic nephropathy. End-stage renal failure (ESRF) primarily induced by diabetes mellitus. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an actively approved parameter in determining the remaining renal function. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy among diabetic outpatients regarding patient’s demographics data and the remaining kidney function.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving diabetic outpatients with confirmed uncontrolled glycemia (Glycated hemoglobin, HbA1C >7% for patients <65 years, and >8% for patients >65 years) conducted in the endocrine clinic at Penang General Hospital, Penang, Malaysia from July to December 2017. Patients records were reviewed to identify demographic criteria and lab tests. The remaining kidney function was estimated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) depending on the patient's glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The results were presented as descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: About 372 patients with uncontrolled glycemia were included in this study with mean age of 53.2 ± 14.8 years. More than half of patients were female, 194 (52.2%). The mean of body mass index (BMI) was (29.1 ± 5.6) kg/m CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients with uncontrolled glycemia were in stage 2 and 3 of chronic kidney failure. Controlling the blood glucose level will slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy toward the ESRD, improve the patients’ outcome and quality of life.