Diabetic nephropathy physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dima Nimri, M.D. [2]

Overview

The majority of patients with diabetic nephropathy are asymptomatic. However, patients may present with other signs of diabetes mellitus or chronic renal failure.

Physical Examination

The majority of patients with diabetic nephropathy are asymptomatic. However, patients may present with other signs of diabetes mellitus or chronic renal failure.
The most common signs to look for in patients with diabetic nephropathy are those related to hypertension and volume overload. Examples include:

- Peripheral edema,
- Periorbital edema and
- Shortness of breath.
- Retinopathy is a strong indicator that kidney involvement.^[1]^[2]^[1]

For full physical examination findings of chronic renal failure, click here.
For full physical examination findings of diabetes mellitus, click here.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Remuzzi G, Schieppati A, Ruggenenti P (2002). “Clinical practice. Nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes”. N. Engl. J. Med. 346 (15): 1145–51. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp011773. PMID 11948275.
↑ Abboud H, Henrich WL (2010). “Clinical practice. Stage IV chronic kidney disease”. N. Engl. J. Med. 362 (1): 56–65. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp0906797. PMID 20054047.

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[pmid11948275-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Remuzzi G, Schieppati A, Ruggenenti P (2002). “Clinical practice. Nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes”. N. Engl. J. Med. 346 (15): 1145–51. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp011773. PMID 11948275.

[pmid20054047-2] Abboud H, Henrich WL (2010). “Clinical practice. Stage IV chronic kidney disease”. N. Engl. J. Med. 362 (1): 56–65. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp0906797. PMID 20054047.

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