Contrast dyes that contain iodine are excreted through the kidney. They may worsen an already reduced glomerular filtration rate, and should be avoided if possible. If they must be used, fluids should be adequate to allow their rapid excretion. Urinary-tract and other infections are common and should be treated effectively with appropriate antibiotics. Renal failure should be treated as appropriate.
Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive disorder.
Uremia and complications of chronic renal failure occur earlier and progress more rapidly than with glomerular disorders in nondiabetics. Complications of dialysis or transplantation are more common with diabetic nephropathy, with death occurring from complications of dialysis or transplantation twice as often as in non-diabetics who require these treatments. Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate diabetic nephropathy, or if new symptoms develop, including decreased or no urine output . Prevention Blood-glucose levels should be controlled as closely as possible in people with diabetes mellitus . Control of blood pressure is even more important than control of blood-sugar.