A STUDY ON PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTOR OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY IN NEWELY DETECTED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS: A CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY CONDUCTED AT ONE OF THE TERTIARY CARE CENTRES OF WESTERN PROVINCE OF INDIA.

Introduction: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) was a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure, primarily affecting individuals with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and analyze the risk factors associated with the development of DN in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients aged above 30 years at a tertiary care center. Materials and Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to March 2024, involving 226 newly diagnosed T2DM patients selected through convenient sampling. Inclusion criteria were newly detected T2DM patients above 30 years. Exclusion criteria included non-compliance with the study, poor glycemic control, uncontrolled hypertension, urinary tract infections, suspected non-diabetic kidney diseases, and multiple comorbidities. Data collection included detailed history, physical examination, and various laboratory tests. Blood pressure, lipid prole, renal function tests, GFR calculation, urine analysis, and fundoscopy were performed. The prevalence of DN was determined through urine protein estimation and the presence of microalbuminuria using MICRAL dipstick tests. GFR was calculated using the MDRD equation. Results: The study revealed that 28.3% of the 226 patients were diagnosed with DN. Signicant risk factors identied included elevated blood pressure, poor lipid prole, higher BMI, and longer duration of diabetes. Detailed statistical analysis demonstrated the association between these risk factors and the onset of DN. Conclusion: The study concluded that DN was prevalent among newly diagnosed T2DM patients. Early identication of risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity was crucial for the prevention and management of DN. Regular screening and early interventions could mitigate the progression of kidney damage in diabetic patients.