Retinopathy, hematuria, and diabetic nephropathy

We have retrospectively analyzed the incidence of diabetic nephropathy in 2 1 diabetic patients who underwent renal biopsy between 1985 and 1995 for mi croscopic hematuria and/or proteinuria >2.5 g/day without retinopathy. Diab etic nephropathy was observed in 13 of 21 patients (62%). 50% of our patien ts with diabetic nephropathy had hematuria, the incidence being higher in t ype I as compared with type II diabetic patients (30 vs. 20%). Diabetic nep hropathy without retinopathy but with hematuria was noted in 5 of 13 patien ts, and diabetic nephropathy without retinopathy and hematuria was also not ed in 5 of 13 patients. We suggest from our retrospective analysis that ren al-retinal diabetic syndrome really exists. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG , Basel.