The Kidney Cost of Living with Diabetes

Diabetes is often called a silent killer. But what happens when this silent disease joins forces with another, slowly, subtly, but lethally? Enter kidney disease, the often-overlooked partner in crime.

Together, they’ve become a leading cause of suffering and death worldwide. This powerful alliance doesn’t always scream loudly, but its devastation is enormous, especially in countries like Nigeria, where routine health checks are not commonplace and chronic illness care remains a luxury for many.

So, what exactly is the connection between diabetes and kidney disease? Why should this matter to you, your loved ones, and policymakers?

Let’s explore.

How They’re Connected

Your kidneys are like your body’s natural waste managers. Every minute, they filter your blood, removing toxins and excess fluid. However, when diabetes is left unchecked, the persistent high blood sugar levels slowly damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. This damage reduces their filtering ability and causes dangerous proteins like albumin to leak into the urine, an early sign of Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD).

“Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in developed countries and accounts for 20% to 40% of cases in patients with diabetes” (Afkarian et al., 2016).

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The global burden of diabetic kidney disease is rising rapidly:

• In 2019, there were approximately 134.6 million cases of CKD attributed to diabetes worldwide, with over 405,000 related deaths (Zhou et al., 2021).
• In the United States, over 51,000 new cases of kidney failure are diagnosed yearly due to diabetes, with 247,000 people living with diabetic ESRD (National Kidney Foundation).
• In Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, diabetes has become a rising cause of kidney failure, yet most cases remain undiagnosed until advanced stages (Osafo et al., 2011).

Nigeria: A Looming Public Health Crisis

In Nigeria, access to kidney dialysis and transplantation is limited. With diabetes cases rising, experts warn of a “double epidemic.”

“Chronic kidney disease is often underdiagnosed in Nigeria due to inadequate screening and poor awareness among primary healthcare providers” (Arogundade, 2020).

This underdiagnosis is dangerous. Many Nigerians only discover their kidney function is impaired after symptoms become severe, when dialysis or transplant may already be necessary, and finances become a barrier.

Can It Be Prevented or Slowed Down?

Yes, and that’s the good news.

The earlier diabetic kidney disease is caught, the better the chances of slowing or preventing its progression. Here’s how:

1. Routine Screening

Doctors recommend that people with diabetes get annual tests to measure:

• eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) – a key marker of kidney function
• Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio – to detect protein leaks

“Early detection through regular screening allows for timely interventions that can prevent progression to ESRD” (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2019).

2. Tighter Blood Sugar & Blood Pressure Control

Managing blood sugar levels and keeping blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg can significantly reduce kidney damage risk.

3. New Medications Making Headlines

There’s hope on the horizon with new-generation drugs:

• SGLT2 inhibitors (like sotagliflozin) have been shown to reduce kidney and cardiovascular complications in diabetics (The New York Post, 2025).
• GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as Ozempic/semaglutide) not only manage blood sugar but also reduce the risk of kidney failure and premature death (The Wall Street Journal, 2024).

Takeaway

Diabetic kidney disease doesn’t have to be a death sentence if we catch it early and act fast. For those living with diabetes or at risk, knowledge is power.

• Get tested.
• Monitor your blood sugar.
• Eat well.
• Stay hydrated.
• Educate your community.

At SOO-DAWI, we believe no one should suffer from preventable complications of diabetes. It’s time we shine a light on this silent partnership and break the deadly link between diabetes and kidney disease.

Sources:

1. Afkarian, M., et al. (2016). PMC Article
2. Zhou, Y., et al. (2021). Frontiers in Endocrinology
3. National Kidney Foundation
4. Osafo, C., et al. (2011). PubMed
5. Arogundade, F. (2020). PubMed
6. AAFP Clinical Guidelines
7. New York Post
8. Wall Street Journal