Progression of chronic kidney disease in patients with hypertension or type 2 diabetes mellitus, can it be delayed?

Background: In India, the number of patients with type II diabetes mellitus in 2006 was 40.9 million and is expected to increase by 2025 to 69.9 million. Annually 1,00,000 new patients get diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease and require maintenance dialysis. Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension were the usual triggers of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). A structured education program helps in the prevention of diabetes and hypertension related complications. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 88 participants who had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or both for five or more years with an objective to find the effect of a Disease Management Program on delaying progression of CKD in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus. The baseline data were collected on demographic proforma, serum creatinine, blood pressure, and random blood sugar, and the patients were taught the management of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In the fourth and the eighth month, blood pressure and blood sugar were reassessed. At one-year blood pressure, blood sugar, and serum creatinine were tested. Baseline and one-year follow-up blood pressure, blood sugar, and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate were compared. Descriptive statistics and "Wilcoxon signed-rank test" were used to analyze the data. Results: In one year, the mean systolic blood pressure reduced by six mm of Hg and mean blood sugar by 24 mg/dl. The prevalence of CKD stage three and above (< 60 ml/min/m2) was nine (10.22%). The median decline in eGFR was 5 ml/min/m2 (Z= 5.925, P< 0.001). Conclusion: The Disease Management Program led to improvements in blood pressure and diabetes control and median progression of CKD was estimated at five ml/min/m2/year.