The first time that many patients realise that diabetes can affect their kidneys is when they are referred to renal services, according to a multi-cultural study in the March issue of the Journal of Renal Care.

UK researchers who spoke to 48 patients with diabetes attending specialist renal services in Leicester, Luton and Ealing, discovered that awareness of the kidney risks posed by the disease was very low.

“The people we spoke to experienced feelings of surprise, fear and regret when they found out their kidney had been affected” says Professor Gurch Randhawa, Director of the Institute for Health Research at the University of Bedfordshire and an expert in diversity in public health.

“Some patients saw their kidney referral as a ‘wake-up call’ that they needed to manage their diabetes more seriously, while others were concerned about their lack of knowledge about the disease. What was clear was that many of the patients we spoke to were much more aware of how diabetes could affect their eyes and feet than their kidneys.

“We believe this study highlights a serious need for more information about the risks that diabetics face from kidney disease.”

Professor Randhawa teamed up with research fellow Emma Wilkinson to explore any differences in the experiences, knowledge and attitudes of white patients and South Asian patients.

“Previous UK studies have identified that South Asian patients have a greater risk of developing diabetes-related end stage kidney failure” says Professor Randhawa. “Despite this, there is growing evidence that they tend to be referred later for renal care and are more likely to be lost to follow-up.”