During 90’s, the country has a relatively low diabetes affected population. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the prevalence will be around 15% by 2030. With diabetes, the small blood vessels in the body are injured. When the blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, they cannot filter blood properly. About 30% of patients with Type 1 (juvenile onset) diabetes and 10%-40% of those with Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure. The earliest sign of diabetic kidney disease is an increased excretion of albumin in the urine. This happens long before the usual tests done after seeing a physician. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a progressive condition and is an important cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) as well as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is general agreement that people with diabetes should be screened regularly to detect early markers of kidney damage. People with diabetes and micro-albuminuria should be treated with a multifactorial intervention approach to retard the progression of DKD.

A comprehensive review of literature search including books, journal, newsletters, newspaper, magazine column and many more; some physicians, technical experts, industry high officials, hospital authority, nurses and employees of pharmacy companies stated their valuable observation. Projections were based on nephrotic disorders prevalent in diabetic patients, their treatment and statistical evaluation in several institutions of Bangladesh.

Glomerulonephritis was found to be the leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) and diabetic nephropathy was the second common cause. Hypertension was the most common associated co morbid disease [14]. As kidney function deteriorates, patients develop complications related to fluid overload, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, and the build-up of nitrogenous waste products. To survive, some patients eventually need haemodialysis or kidney transplantation [15]. 40%-50% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 20%-30% of patients with type 2 diabetes developed diabetic nephropathy [16]. In BIRDEM 2014, prevalence of nephropathy was found in 25% patients; male 27% and female 22% found among 400 type-2 diabetic patients [17]. +35A>C polymorphism possibly responsible for nephropathy in Bangladeshi type-2 diabetic subjects which is predominant in male [18]; Micro-albuminuria was found in 24% of type 1 diabetes, 27% of fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes, and nearly 70% of type 2 diabetes children and adolescent in Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC) clinic, BIRDEM [19]. In Bangladesh, the causes of CKD G5 among 954 patients who were on HD in 2012-2013 were chronic glomerulonephritis (25.5%), diabetic nephropathy (41%) and hypertensive renal disease (33%) [20].

Diabetic Association of Bangladesh selected 374 type 2 diabetic patients diagnosed for at least one year. Nonadherence rate of diet was 90% and exercise was 25%. About 32% patients non-adhered to self-blood glucose monitoring, 70% to foot care and 6% had smoking habits. The main barriers to adherence to blood glucose monitoring was that they did not believe it is useful (65%) and barriers to do exercise were always being busy (44%) and coexisting diseases (9%) [21].

Almost one in ten adults in Bangladesh was found to have diabetes, which has recently become a major public health issue. A recent meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of diabetes among adults had increased substantially, from 4% in 1995 to 2000 and 5% in 2001 to 2005 to 9% in 2006 to 2010. International Diabetes Federation stated the prevalence will be 13% by 2030 [22]. According to the WHO, at least 2.8% of the population worldwide suffer from diabetes. Considering the increasing rate of type 2 diabetes it is understood that, by the 2030 the prevalence of diabetes mellitus will be double [23].

A recent study by World Bank found $160 per year in household expenses for diabetes care (2013 dollars) in Bangladesh [24]. The annual cost of diabetes care per person in the outpatient department of a tertiary care facility was $314. Based on this finding, it is estimated that the total annual burden of some 5.1 million diabetic patients will be $1.5 billion, which is a large burden for a developing country like Bangladesh [25]. In 2016, approximately 55,703 diabetic individuals received in-hospital care, with an estimated 2,641,000 outpatient visits. The total annual estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes was approximately $217.71 million [26]. The median monthly cost of diabetes maintenance was close to USD 10, approximately 10% of the median monthly income [27].

Blood pressure control: Blood pressure is one of the most important factors influencing progression of diabetic kidney disease and therefore should be aggressively controlled. The SPRINT trial showed reduced mortality in people with non-diabetic CKD with lower blood pressure targets (<120 href="#28" title="28">28,29].

Using multiple agents/combination therapy: The majority of hypertensive patients with diabetes require more than one agent to control blood pressure to the recommended target level; Diuretics or/and calcium channel blockers may be added to ACE-Inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists. Thiazide diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, are similarly effective in reducing coronary heart disease. However, their use in diabetes is less optimal given their metabolic adverse effects, such as hyperglycemia [30].

Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: The RAAS plays a central role in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic kidney disease. Therefore, inhibition of this system with ACE-Inhibitors or ARBs is one of the most important steps in the treatment of DKD. All hypertensive patients with diabetes should be treated with an ACE-Inhibitor or ARB. Normotensive patients with micro-albuminuria or macro-albuminuria may benefit from treatment with an ACE-Inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists. From a kidney perspective there is no data to support treatment of normotensive, normoalbuminuric patients with ACE-I or ARBs, although there may be some benefit for retinopathy. Patients who are intolerant to ACE inhibitors due to cough usually tolerate an ARB. While angioedema has also been reported with ARBs, it is a rarely seen side effect and much less common that with ACE-Inhibitors. Aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone, epleronone) and direct renin inhibitors (aliskerin) reduce proteinuria in short-term studies but have not been demonstrated to prevent the development or progression of DKD or cardiovascular disease [31,32].

Blood glucose control: It plays an important role in the prevention and progression of DKD and other microvascular diabetes complications. Therefore, good glycemic control is critical for the management of kidney disease and other diabetic complications in these patients. In general, the ADA recommends an HbA1C goal of <7 href="#33" title="33">33].

HbA1c in DKD: Chronic kidney disease, end stage kidney disease (ESRD) and treatment with erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) have been shown to be associated with decreased red blood cell survival or an increase in red blood cell production/turnover, thereby causing artificially low HbA1C levels in some of these patients. Other reports have shown an increase of HbA1C in CKD through possibly carbamylation of haemoglobin or acidosis. As a result HbA1C levels may not be as accurate in assessing glycemic control in patients with CKD or ESRD. Effects of DKD on glucose control. With advanced GFR loss, typically<20 href="#34" title="34">34].

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors for type 2 DM: SGLT2 inhibitors have emerged as a novel class of medications for the treatment of type 2 DM and have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects beyond their glucose lowering abilities both for cardiovascular and renal endpoints. Empagliflozin has been demonstrated to reduce worsening DKD (defined as progression to macro-albuminuria, doubling of serum creatinine or initiation of renal replacement therapy). The mechanism for this is thought to relate to renovascular effects of the medication. Canagliflozin has been found to reduce the incidence of worsening albuminuria, reduction in GFR and need for renal replacement therapy. SGLT2 inhibitors are, however, not indicated for patients with reduced GFR (eGFR<60 href="#31" title="35">35-37].

Statins and diet modification: Hyperlipidemia is common in diabetic patients with renal disease. Treatment with a statin does not affect progression of kidney disease, but reduces cardiovascular disease risk in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Therapy with a Statin should be considered if the LDL cholesterol is >100 mg/ dl with an LDL treatment goal of <100 href="#37" title="37">37,38].

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs): Dihydropyridine CCBs (e.g., amlodipine, felodipine) as a sole agent have been shown to increase proteinuria in the IDNT study but are thought to be safe if used in combination with an ACE-Inhibitor or ARB. In fact, the ACCOMPLISH study has demonstrated superiority with regards to progression of chronic kidney disease of the combination of an ACE-Inhibitor with a dihydropyridine CCB as compared to the ACE-Inhibitor combined with hydrochlorothiazide.

Diuretics: Diuretics and RAAS inhibitors are synergistic in terms of effect on BP, i.e., the combined effect of agents from these classes on BP is equal to or greater than the sum of individual effects of each medication. Patients with diabetes and normal or near-normal GFR usually respond to thiazide-type diuretics. In the diabetic subgroup of ALLHAT, chlorthalidone reduced the primary endpoint of fatal coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction to the same degree as lisinopril or amlodipine and was superior for prevention of heart failure [39].

Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs): Non-dihydropyridine CCBs (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil) reduce proteinuria in short-term studies but have not been demonstrated to prevent the development or progression of DKD or cardiovascular disease. Nondihydropyridine CCBs tend to have less potent effects on BP than dihydropyridine CCBs.

Beta blockers: Beta blockers have proven benefit for comorbidities that often accompany diabetes, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure, and are often indicated for these conditions. In the absence of these conditions, the utility of beta blockers for BP control in diabetes is not clear. Beta blockers and RAAS inhibitors are not synergistic in terms of effect on BP, i.e., the combined effect of agents from these classes on BP is often less than the sum of individual effects of each medication [40,41].

Poor compliance, at any point of life creates serious mischiefs. Bangladesh is a country where poor literacy and carelessness never even gives opportunity to the general people to know the reasons behind their health complexities due to non-compliance and non-adherences. The most important thing is patient education, that the modern world is giving the highest priorities. Rich or poor, privileged or unprivileged all segment of population should be brought under the arena of compliance through patient education, at least by health campaign. Both government and profit taking medicine companies should take initiatives regard.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.