Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication of diabetes and the leading cause of chronic kidney disease and progression to end-stage kidney failure. Despite international guidance recommending routine annual kidney monitoring, early DKD frequently remains undetected, particularly in outpatient settings where screening is inconsistent. In Ireland, contemporary data on DKD prevalence in hospital based diabetes populations is scarce, and little is known about patient awareness, screening uptake, or engagement with appropriate follow up pathways. This lack of patient centred information represents an important gap in understanding the true burden of DKD in routine care.
This study aims to determine the prevalence of DKD among adults attending an outpatient hospital diabetes clinic and to evaluate their awareness of kidney disease, co-existing complications, and barriers to regular screening. The hypothesis is that a substantial proportion of patients have DKD and demonstrate low awareness of their kidney health, contributing to delayed diagnosis and missed opportunities for early intervention.
A prospective cross-sectional study will be conducted over eight weeks in a Level 3 regional diabetes service. A structured questionnaire will capture patient awareness of DKD, understanding of risk factors and screening recommendations, and the presence of microvascular and macrovascular complications. For participants reporting DKD, additional questions will assess screening frequency, type of clinical follow-up, and care pathways.
The study is expected to generate essential data on DKD prevalence, awareness levels, and screening patterns in an Irish outpatient population. These findings will help identify gaps in patient education and clinical practice and may inform targeted interventions to improve early detection, and support recommendations for enhanced DKD screening across specialist and primary care settings. Ultimately, the research will contribute to earlier recognition and improved management of diabetic kidney disease, supporting better long-term patient outcomes.