Prevalence of chronic kidney disease among type-2 diabetic patients in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia and identify its associated risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, from September, 2022 till June, 2023. The study population consisted of type-2 diabetic patients aged 18 to 65 years who were not previously diagnosed with CKD and who were currently receiving follow-ups at primary healthcare clinics in Al-Ahsa. Data were collected from 33,000 patient records using a randomized sampling technique, resulting in a final sample size of 190 eligible participants. The glycated hemoglobin (HBA1C) levels were used to assess the diagnoses and status of DM, and the glomerular filtration rates (GFRs), microalbuminuria, and blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratios were used to diagnose CKD. Results: The study included 190 type 2 diabetic patients aged 18 to 65 years. The prevalence of CKD was 41.1%, with 33.2% patients having mild to moderately decreased GFRs. Male patients had a higher prevalence of decreased GFRs compared with females. Obesity, particularly grade II obesity, and hypertension were significantly associated with increased albuminuria. Patients receiving both oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin had a higher prevalence of decreased GFRs compared with those on insulin alone. Conclusion: The prevalence of CKD among type 2 diabetic patients in Al-Ahsa was high, and CKD was found to be associated with several risk factors. Healthcare providers should prioritize routine CKD screenings for type 2 diabetic patients, particularly for those with additional risk factors.