Is there a difference in progression of renal disease between South Asian and white European diabetic adults with moderately reduced kidney function?

AimsWe examined potential ethnicity-related differences in progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) between South Asian and white European diabetic adults with CKD stage 3 over a 5-year period.MethodsWe analysed data collected from diabetic adults of white European and South Asian ethnicity who had attended diabetes and diabetes-renal outpatient clinics with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values ≥ 30 and < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 over 5 years (2005-2010); 891 (76%) were white Europeans, 282 (24%) were South Asians.ResultsDespite similar baseline eGFR (P = 0.103), South Asians were younger [median (interquartile range) 68 (63-73) vs. 70 (64-77) years; P < 0.001] and had worse baseline glycated haemoglobin than white Europeans [8.0 (7.0-9.1) vs. 7.6 (6.8-8.7)%; P = 0.004]. The 5-year follow-up eGFR and the decline in eGFR did not differ between the two groups. Thirty-five (12.4%) South Asians and 82 (9.2%) white Europeans progressed to stages 4-5 CKD (P = 0.112). There was a trend towards higher follow-up glycated haemoglobin levels in South Asians (P = 0.064).ConclusionsDespite worse glycaemic control, South Asian diabetic adults with CKD stage 3 did not show any difference in 5-year decline in eGFR compared with white Europeans. These data do not support ethnic differences in progression of CKD between the South Asian and white European patient populations.