Current management of chronic kidney disease in type-2 diabetes-A tiered approach: An overview of the joint Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and UK Kidney association (ABCD-UKKA) guidelines.

A growing and significant number of people with diabetes develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). Diabetes-related CKD is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and people with diabetes and CKD have high morbidity and mortality, predominantly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite advances in care over the recent decades, most people with CKD and type 2 diabetes are likely to die of CVD before developing ESKD. Hyperglycaemia and hypertension are modifiable risk factors to prevent onset and progression of CKD and related CVD. People with type 2 diabetes often have dyslipidaemia and CKD per se is an independent risk factor for CVD, therefore people with CKD and type 2 diabetes require intensive lipid lowering to reduce burden of CVD. Recent clinical trials of people with type 2 diabetes and CKD have demonstrated a reduction in composite kidney end point events (significant decline in kidney function, need for kidney replacement therapy and kidney death) with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) and UK Kidney Association (UKKA) Diabetic Kidney Disease Clinical Speciality Group have previously undertaken a narrative review and critical appraisal of the available evidence to inform clinical practice guidelines for the management of hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension in adults with type 2 diabetes and CKD. This 2024 abbreviated updated guidance summarises the recommendations and the implications for clinical practice for healthcare professionals who treat people with diabetes and CKD in primary, community and secondary care settings.

Clinical practice guideline for the management of lipids in adults with diabetic kidney disease: abbreviated summary of the Joint Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and UK Kidney Association (ABCD-UKKA) Guideline 2024.

The contribution of chronic kidney disease (CKD) towards the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is magnified with co-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Lipids are a modifiable risk factor and good lipid management offers improved outcomes for people with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).The primary purpose of this guideline, written by the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) and UK Kidney Association (UKKA) working group, is to provide practical recommendations on lipid management for members of the multidisciplinary team involved in the care of adults with DKD.

Development and validation of a chronic kidney disease progression model using patient-level simulations.

Chronic disease progression models are available for several highly prevalent conditions. For chronic kidney disease (CKD), the scope of existing progression models is limited to the risk of kidney failure and major cardiovascular (CV) events. The aim of this project was to develop a comprehensive CKD progression model (CKD-PM) that simulates the risk of CKD progression and a broad range of complications in patients with CKD. A series of literature reviews informed the selection of risk factors and identified existing risk equations/algorithms for kidney replacement therapy (KRT), CV events, other CKD-related complications, and mortality. Risk equations and transition probabilities were primarily sourced from publications produced by large US and international CKD registries. A patient-level, state-transition model was developed with health states defined by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes categories. Model validation was performed by comparing predicted outcomes with observed outcomes in the source cohorts used in model development (internal validation) and other cohorts (external validation). The CKD-PM demonstrated satisfactory modeling properties. Accurate prediction of all-cause and CV mortality was achieved without calibration, while prediction of CV events through CKD-specific equations required implementation of a calibration factor to balance time-dependent versus baseline risk. Predicted annual changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio were acceptable in comparison to external values. A flexible eGFR threshold for KRT equations enabled accurate prediction of these events. This CKD-PM demonstrated reliable modeling properties. Both internal and external validation revealed robust outcomes.

Management of adults with diabetes on dialysis: Summary of recommendations of the Joint British Diabetes Societies guidelines 2022.

Diabetes is the commonest cause of end-stage kidney disease in many parts of the world, and many people on dialysis programmes live with diabetes. Such people are vulnerable to complications from their diabetes, and their care may be fragmented due to the many specialists involved. This updated guidance from the Joint British Diabetes Societies aims to review and update the 2016 guidance, with particular emphasis on glycaemic monitoring in the light of recent advances in this area. In addition, the guidance covers clinical issues related to the management of diabetes in people on peritoneal dialysis, along with acute complications such as hypoglycaemia and ketoacidosis, and chronic complications such as foot and eye disease.

UK Kidney Association Clinical Practice Guideline: Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) Inhibition in Adults with Kidney Disease 2023 UPDATE.

Large placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated kidney and cardiovascular clinical benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors. Data from the EMPA-KIDNEY and DELIVER trials and associated meta-analyses triggered an update to the UK Kidney Association Clinical Practice Guideline on Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) Inhibition in Adults with Kidney Disease. We provide a summary of the full guideline and highlight the rationale for recent updates. The use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in people with specific medical conditions, including type 1 diabetes, kidney transplants, and people admitted to hospital with heart failure is also considered, along with Recommendations for future research and Recommendations for implementation. A full "lay" summary of the guidelines is provided as an appendix to ensure that these guidelines are accessible and understandable to people who are not medical professionals.

Wound Healing Complications With Tranexamic Acid: Not the Silver Bullet After All.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been popularized as an adjunct to decrease the risk of bleeding and subsequent bruising and edema in aesthetic surgery. The most notable risks of TXA are thrombus and seizures, which are associated with higher plasma concentrations of the acid. In an effort to mitigate these risks, surgeons have begun using TXA locally, either as a topical irrigation or mixed into the local anesthetic. Although local use is thought to be safer from a side-effect standpoint, because there is decreased systemic absorption, its use is not without risk. We present 4 patients who developed wound healing complications thought to be related to locally administered TXA. One patient had TXA delivered topically, and 3 patients had TXA mixed into their local anesthetic. These adverse events have not been published in the literature previously. This case report serves as a warning to other surgeons about using locally administered TXA.

Clinical practice guidelines for management of hyperglycaemia in adults with diabetic kidney disease.

A significant percentage of people with diabetes develop chronic kidney disease and diabetes is also a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The term diabetic kidney disease (DKD) includes both diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (DM CKD). DKD is associated with high morbidity and mortality, which are predominantly related to cardiovascular disease. Hyperglycaemia is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular complications and progression of DKD. Recent clinical trials of people with DKD have demonstrated improvement in clinical outcomes with sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors. SGLT-2 inhibitors have significantly reduced progression of DKD and onset of ESKD and these reno-protective effects are independent of glucose lowering. At the time of this update Canagliflozin and Dapagliflozin have been approved for delaying the progression of DKD. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) and UK Kidney Association (UKKA) Diabetic Kidney Disease Clinical Speciality Group have undertaken a literature review and critical appraisal of the available evidence to inform clinical practice guidelines for management of hyperglycaemia in adults with DKD. This 2021 guidance is for the variety of clinicians who treat people with DKD, including GPs and specialists in diabetes, cardiology and nephrology.

Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and Renal Association guidelines on the detection and management of diabetes post solid organ transplantation.

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is common after solid organ transplantation (SOT) and associated with increased morbidity and mortality for allograft recipients. Despite the significant burden of disease, there is a paucity of literature with regards to detection, prevention and management. Evidence from the general population with diabetes may not be translatable to the unique context of SOT. In light of emerging clinical evidence and novel anti-diabetic agents, there is an urgent need for updated guidance and recommendations in this high-risk cohort. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) and Renal Association (RA) Diabetic Kidney Disease Clinical Speciality Group has undertaken a systematic review and critical appraisal of the available evidence. Areas of focus are; (1) epidemiology, (2) pathogenesis, (3) detection, (4) management, (5) modification of immunosuppression, (6) prevention, and (7) PTDM in the non-renal setting. Evidence-graded recommendations are provided for the detection, management and prevention of PTDM, with suggested areas for future research and potential audit standards. The guidelines are endorsed by Diabetes UK, the British Transplantation Society and the Royal College of Physicians of London. The full guidelines are available freely online for the diabetes, renal and transplantation community using the link below. The aim of this review article is to introduce an abridged version of this new clinical guideline ( https://abcd.care/sites/abcd.care/files/site_uploads/Resources/Position-Papers/ABCD-RA%20PTDM%20v14.pdf).

Experience harvesting costal cartilage under IV sedation.

IMPORTANCE: While numerous techniques for costal cartilage harvesting have been described, one consistency in the published literature is that the procedure is performed under general anesthesia. This is the first report to offer IV sedation as a safe alternative to general inhalational anesthesia in cases involving costal cartilage harvesting. OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and safety of costal cartilage harvest with IV sedation. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed of 116 rhinoplasty patients who underwent harvest of costal cartilage grafts under IV sedation from 2005 to 2019. SETTING: Private practice of senior author (AF) at Lasky Clinical Surgical Center. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients who underwent cosmetic and/or functional rhinoplasty. MAIN OUTCOME & MEASURES: The number of cases involving a pneumothorax, size of the pleural injury, radiographic findings, repair technique and treatment for pneumothorax were all recorded. RESULTS: There were 7 cases involving a pleural tear (size range 3-8 mm) during costal cartilage harvest and each of these was repaired intra-operatively. All 7 patients remained clinically stable in recovery room on 2 L of oxygen. Although clinically stable, one patient had radiologic evidence of a pneumothorax of 50%, and thus she was transferred to a hospital for placement of a Heimlich tube with overnight observation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Although plenural tears can be attributed to surgical technique rather than the type of anesthesia, these cases do provide valuable insight to the fact that successful management of such complications can be accomplished without the need for general anesthesia.

Measurement of glomerular filtration rate in patients undergoing obesity surgery.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on obesity surgery have measured renal function using the estimated GFR. However, due to the reduction of muscle mass, and therefore creatinine that accompanies weight loss, such measures can falsely suggest an improvement in renal function. To balance the risks of surgery versus any potential benefits on renal function, we need to be able to determine renal function using valid and reliable methodologies. In this pilot study we aimed to measure renal function in patients with CKD undergoing obesity surgery using the gold standard 51Cr-EDTA GFR clearance methodology which is independent of measures of muscle mass. METHODS: Nine consecutive obese patients with CKD underwent obesity surgery. Their renal function was assessed using 51Cr-EDTA GFR, cystatin C and serum creatinine as well as using eGFR equations including MDRD CKD Epi, Cockcroft Gault and CKD Epi cystatin before and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Renal function using the 51Cr-EDTA measured GFR did not change significantly after surgery. Similar results were obtained when Cystatin C, CKD Epi cystatin, CKD Epi cystatin creatinine and adjusted Cockcroft Gault Creatinine clearance methods were used. In contrast there were either trends or significant improvements in renal function measured using the MDRD and CKD Epi equations. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study using the gold standard 51Cr-EDTA method we found stabilisation in renal function after obesity surgery. Until further definitive data emerge it is critical to balance the risk and benefits of surgery, especially if renal function may not improve as often as previously suggested. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01507350 . Registered June 2011.

Complications of Polydioxanone Foil Use in Nasal Surgery: A Case Series.

Polydioxanone (PDS) foil is widely recognized as a septal cartilage replacement during rhinoplasties and is thought to be completely resorbable and biodegradable. Since its United States Food and Drug Administration approval in 2010, PDS foil has drawn significant enthusiasm and many surgeons consider it an ideal implantable biomaterial as reflected in numerous studies highlighting its benefits. However, scant literature exists highlighting relevant complications of PDS plates that may potentially lead to cavalier overuse. This descriptive case series assesses the outcomes of PDS foil usage in three patients seen for septoplasty at two independent institutions over the past 5 years. Our results demonstrate that PDS plate usage can lead to septal cartilage loss and resultant saddle nose deformity associated with prolonged postoperative edema and inflammation. To our knowledge, this is the largest case series of this reported phenomenon.

CCL18 synergises with high concentrations of glucose in stimulating fibronectin production in human renal tubuloepithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end stage kidney disease worldwide. The pathogenesis of this disease remains elusive and multiple factors have been implicated. These include the effects of hyperglycaemia, haemodynamic and metabolic factors, and an inflammatory process that stimulates cellular signalling pathways leading to disease progression and severe fibrosis. Fibronectin (Fn) is an important protein of the extracellular matrix that is essential in fibrosis and its presence in increased amounts has been identified in the kidney in diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: Proximal tubuloepithelial (HK-2) cells were stimulated with high glucose (30 mM D-glucose) or glycated albumin (500 µg/mmol) + 4 mM D-glucose or their controls, Mannitol (26 mM + 4 mM D-glucose) and 4 mM D-glucose, respectively. Following 48 h of stimulation the supernatant was collected and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay performed to assess cell viability. HK-2 cells were also stimulated in the above environments with recombinant CCL18 (rCCL18) or MCP-1 (rMCP-1) for 48 h with quantification of Fn levels using ELISA. RESULTS: Co-stimulation of HK-2 cells with high concentrations of glucose and rCCL18 significantly increased Fn (p < 0.001), in comparison to high concentrations of glucose alone. HK-2 cells stimulated with glycated albumin consistently produced Fn and this did not alter following co-stimulation with rCCL18 or rMCP-1. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates how stimulation with a specific chemokine CCL18 in high glucose upregulates the production of Fn from proximal tubuloepithelial cells. This may be relevant to the development of renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy.

Cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin as add-on to standard of care for chronic kidney disease management in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: The sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor empagliflozin was approved for treatment of adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the basis of its demonstrated ability to slow CKD progression and reduce the risk of cardiovascular death. This analysis was performed to assess the cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin plus standard of care (SoC) vs SoC alone in the treatment of CKD in the UK. METHODS: A comprehensive, patient-level CKD progression model that simulates the evolution of risk factors for disease progression based on CKD-specific equations and clinical data was used to project a broad range of CKD-related complications. Patient baseline characteristics, distribution across Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) health states, and changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR), and other parameters while on treatment were derived from the EMPA-KIDNEY trial. UK cost and utilities/disutilities were sourced from the literature. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. Annual discounting of 3.5% was applied on costs and outcomes. RESULTS: Over a 50-year horizon, SoC resulted in per-patient costs, life years, and QALYs of £95,930, 8.55, and 6.28, respectively. Empagliflozin plus SoC resulted in an incremental gain in life years (+1.04) and QALYs (+0.84), while decreasing per-patient costs by £6,019. Empagliflozin was more effective and less costly (dominant) with a net monetary benefit of £22,849 at the willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000. Although treatment cost was higher for empagliflozin, this was more than offset by savings in kidney replacement therapy. Empagliflozin remained highly cost-effective in patients with and without diabetes, and across scenario and sensitivity analyses. LIMITATIONS: This analysis is limited by reliance on short-term clinical trial data and by uncertainties in modelling CKD progression. CONCLUSIONS: Empagliflozin as an add-on to SoC for treatment of adults with CKD represents cost-effective use of UK National Health Service (NHS) resources.

Best practice for the selection, design and implementation of UK Kidney Association guidelines: a modified Delphi consensus approach.

BACKGROUND: Despite research into how to effectively implement evidence-based recommendations into clinical practice, a lack of standardisation in the commissioning and development of clinical practice guidelines can lead to inconsistencies and gaps in implementation. This research aimed to ascertain how topics in kidney care worthy of guideline development within the UK should be chosen, prioritised, designed and implemented. METHODS: Following a modified Delphi methodology, a multi-disciplinary panel of experts in kidney healthcare from across the UK developed 35 statements on the issues surrounding the selection, development and implementation of nephrology guidelines. Consensus with these statements was determined by agreement using an online survey; the consensus threshold was defined as 75% agreement. RESULTS: 419 responses were received. Of the 364 healthcare practitioners (HCPs), the majority had over 20 years of experience in their role (n=123) and most respondents were nephrologists (n=95). Of the 55 non-clinical respondents, the majority were people with kidney disease (n=41) and the rest were their carers or family. Participants were from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Consensus between HCPs was achieved in 32/35 statements, with 28 statements reaching ≥90% agreement. Consensus between patients and patient representatives was achieved across all 20 statements, with 13/20 reaching ≥90% agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The current results have provided the basis for six recommendations to improve the selection, design and implementation of guidelines. Actioning these recommendations will help improve the accessibility of, and engagement with, clinical guidelines, contributing to the continuing development of best practice in UK kidney care.

Real-world study of the multimorbidity and health service utilisation among individuals with non-diabetic hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus in North West London.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of non-diabetic hyperglycemia (NDH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing. While T2DM is recognised to be associated with multimorbidity and early mortality, people with NDH are frequently thought to be devoid of such complications, potentially exposing individuals with NDH to suboptimal care. We therefore used the Discover London Secure Data Environment (SDE) dataset to appreciate the relationship of NDH/T2DM with multimorbidity, healthcare usage, and clinical outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The dataset was retrospectively analysed between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020 to understand the relationship between NDH/T2DM and multimorbidity primary/secondary healthcare usage and clinical outcomes. This was compared with a cohort of individuals with thyroid disease but no NDH/T2DM. RESULTS: The dataset identified 152,384 and 124,190 adults with NDH and T2DM compared with 11,626 individuals with thyroid disease (control group). Individuals with NDH and individuals with T2DM had a high burden of disease, with only 13.1% of individuals with either NDH or T2DM not found to be suffering from at least one of the disease states of interest. The three most common comorbidities experienced by individuals with NDH were hypertension (41.4%), hypercholesterolemia (37.5%), and obesity (29.8%) compared with retinopathy (68.7%), hypertension (59.4%), and obesity (45.8%) in individuals with T2DM. Comparatively, the most common comorbidities in the control group were depression (30.8%), hypercholesterolemia (24.4%), and hypertension (17.1%). 28 (control group), 12 (NDH), and 16 (T2DM) primary care contacts per individual per year were identified, with 27,881, 282,371, and 314,880 inpatient admissions for the control, NDH, and T2DM cohorts, respectively. Prescription of drugs used to treat T2DM in individuals with NDH and T2DM was 27,772 (18.2%) and 109,361 (88.1%), respectively, accounting for approximately one in five individuals with NDH developing T2DM. CONCLUSION: Both NDH and T2DM were associated with significant multimorbidity alongside primary and secondary care utilisation. Given the morbidity highlighted with NDH, we highlight the need for earlier detection of NDH, recognition of multimorbidity associated with both NDH and T2DM, as well as the need for the further implementation of interventions to prevent progression to T2DM/multimorbidity.

The effect of bariatric surgery on renal function and disease: a focus on outcomes and inflammation.

Renal dysfunction and disease, including hyperfiltration, proteinuria and hypofiltration, are commonly associated with obesity. Diabetic kidney disease is also common in obese cohorts. Weight loss interventions, including bariatric surgery, can effectively reduce weight and improve renal outcomes. Some of this effect may be due to the remission of Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. However, other mechanisms, including the resolution of inflammatory processes, may also contribute. The effect of bariatric surgery on renal function has only recently become a focus of particular investigation. In this study, we will review the effects of bariatric surgery on obesity-associated kidney disease. We will discuss the pitfalls in assessing renal function in obese cohorts and will examine the effect of bariatric surgery on renal function and urinary protein excretion using different mechanisms. We will give particular attention to the evidence for bariatric surgery in cohorts with established renal disease and suggest future directions. In particular, we will outline the evidence for inflammation as an important therapeutic target, and the emerging medical therapies being considered to exploit this target in obesity- and diabetes-related kidney disease.

The Accuracy of Continuous Glucose Sensors in People with Diabetes Undergoing Hemodialysis (ALPHA Study).

Objectives: Real-time and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring are increasingly used for glucose monitoring in people with diabetes requiring renal replacement therapy, with limited data reporting their accuracy in this cohort. We evaluated the accuracy of Dexcom G6 and Abbott Freestyle Libre 1 glucose monitoring systems in people with diabetes undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: Participants on hemodialysis with diabetes (on insulin or sulfonylureas) were recruited. Paired sensor glucose from Dexcom G6 and Freestyle Libre 1 were recorded with plasma glucose analyzed using the Yellow Springs Instrument (YSI) method at frequent intervals during hemodialysis. Analysis of accuracy metrics included mean absolute relative difference (MARD), Clarke error grid (CEG) analysis and proportion of CGM values within 15% and 20% or 15 and 20 mg/dL of YSI reference values for blood glucose >100 or ≤100 mg/dL, respectively (% 15/15, % 20/20). Results: Forty adults (median age 64.7 [60.2-74.4] years) were recruited. Overall MARD for Dexcom G6 was 22.7% (2656 matched glucose pairs), and 11.3% for Libre 1 (n = 2785). The proportions of readings meeting %15/15 and %20/20 were 29.1% and 45.4% for Dexcom G6, respectively, and 73.5% and 85.6% for Libre 1. CEG analysis showed 98.9% of all values in zones A and B for Dexcom G6 and 99.8% for Libre 1. Conclusions: Our results indicate Freestyle Libre 1 is a reliable tool for glucose monitoring in adults on hemodialysis. Further studies are required to evaluate Dexcom G6 accuracy in people on hemodialysis.

Narrative Review of Glycemic Management in People With Diabetes on Peritoneal Dialysis.

There is an increasing number of people with diabetes on peritoneal dialysis (PD) worldwide. However, there is a lack of guidelines and clinical recommendations for managing glucose control in people with diabetes on PD. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the relevant literature and highlight key clinical considerations with practical aspects in the management of diabetes in people undergoing PD. A formal systematic review was not conducted because of the lack of sufficient and suitable clinical studies. A literature search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Central, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov., from 1980 through February 2022. The search was limited to publications in English. This narrative review and related guidance have been developed jointly by diabetologists and nephrologists, who reviewed all available current global evidence regarding the management of diabetes in people on PD.We focus on the importance of individualized care for people with diabetes on PD, the burden of hypoglycemia, glycemic variability in the context of PD and treatment choices for optimizing glucose control. In this review, we have summarized the clinical considerations to guide and inform clinicians providing care for people with diabetes on PD.

Association and progression of multi-morbidity with Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3a secondary to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, grouped by albuminuria status in the multi-ethnic population of Northwest London: A real-world study.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) secondary to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is rising worldwide. However, real-world data linking glomerular function and albuminuria to the degree of multi-morbidity is lacking. We thus utilised the Discover dataset, to determine this association. METHOD: Patients with T2DM diagnosed prior to 1st January 2015 with no available biochemical evidence of CKD were included. Patients subsequently diagnosed and coded for CKD3a in 2015, were grouped by the degree of albuminuria. Baseline and 5-year co-morbidity was determined, as were prescribing practices with regards to prognostically beneficial medication. RESULTS: We identified 56,261 patients with T2DM, of which 1082 had CKD stage 3a diagnosed in 2015 (224-CKD3aA1,154-CKD3aA2,93-CKD3aA1; 611 patients with CKD3a but no uACR available in 2015 were excluded from follow up). No statistically significant difference was observed in the degree of co-morbidities at baseline. A significant difference in the degree of hypertension, retinopathy, ischaemic heart disease and vascular disease from baseline compared to study end point was observed for all 3 study groups. Comparing co-morbidities developed at study end point, highlighted a statistical difference between CKD3aA1 Vs CKD3aA3 for retinopathy alone and for hypertension and heart failure between CKD3aA2 Vs CKD3aA3. 40.8% of patients with CKD3aA2 or A3 were prescribed Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone inhibitors (RAASi) therapy between June-December 2021. Survival analysis showed 15% of patients with CKD3aA3 developed CKD stage 5 within 5 years of diagnosis. DISCUSSION: CKD3a secondary to DKD is associated with significant multimorbidity at baseline and 5 years post diagnosis, with CKD3aA3 most strongly associated with CKD progression to CKD 5, heart failure, hypertension and retinopathy compared to CKD3aA1 or CKD3aA2 at 5 years post diagnosis. The lack of uACR testing upon diagnosis and poor prescribing of RAASi, in those with CKD3aA2/A3, raises significant cause for concern. CONCLUSION: DKD is associated with significant multimorbidity. Significant work is needed to be done to ensure patients undergo testing for uACR, to allow for future risk stratification and ability to be started on prognostically beneficial medication.