Association of renal function screening frequency with renal function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes: a real-world study in primary health care

Aims To examine the association of the screening frequency of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the substantial reduction in eGFR (>= 25%) among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with normal (eGFR >= 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and impaired kidney function (eGFR< 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)). Methods A longitudinal study involving 5104 T2D patients with follow-up period of 6.8 years (1.9 SD) were treated at the Rovaniemi Health Center, Rovaniemi, Finland during 2011-2019. The association between the screening frequency of eGFR (yearly vs. non-yearly) and the substantial reduction in eGFR was studied with logistical models and adjusted with biochemical variables and preventive medications. Results Among the T2D patients with normal kidney function, non-yearly eGFR screening was significantly associated with substantial eGFR reduction in both unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] 3.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.54-4.33) and adjusted models (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.21-3.73) compared with yearly screening frequency. In the group of patients with impaired kidney function in the unadjusted model, non-yearly eGFR screening was significantly associated with substantial eGFR reduction (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.30-4.73), but became non-significant after adjustments (OR 1.89, 95% CI 0.61-7.21). Conclusions This study underscores the role of regular eGFR screening in the prevention of kidney function decline.