P846 - ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OBESITY AND THE PROGNOSIS OF DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY IN KOREAN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

P846

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OBESITY AND THE PROGNOSIS OF DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY IN KOREAN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

D.-H. Cho^1,*, J.-O. Chung¹, D.-J. Chung¹

¹Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea, Republic Of

Rationale: Obesity is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, its role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy remains controversial, with some studies suggesting protective effects and others indicating harm. This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and the progression of diabetic nephropathy in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This longitudinal study included 284 Korean patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD stage ≥2 (mean age 61.0 ± 11.4 years). Patients were followed for 2.9 ± 1.1 years. Renal function was assessed using serum creatinine, eGFR (Cockcroft-Gault), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Based on WHO Asia-Pacific BMI criteria, participants were classified as normal (<23 kg/m²), overweight (23–24.9 kg/m²), or obese (≥25 kg/m²). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between baseline obesity and renal function decline.

Results: At baseline, the mean diabetes duration was 12.6 ± 9.8 years, HbA1c was 8.1%, and eGFR was 52.2 mL/min/1.73 m². Obese patients (41.5%) had higher HbA1c levels, ALT, and more adverse lipid profiles than those with normal BMI. However, baseline eGFR and albuminuria did not differ significantly among BMI groups. After adjusting for age, sex, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and presence of hypertension, baseline obesity remained significantly associated with an increased risk of renal function decline (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.02–1.84; p = 0.035).

Conclusion: Obesity at baseline is independently associated with a higher risk of renal function deterioration in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD. These findings support the need for weight management strategies to slow diabetic nephropathy progression in this population.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared