Managing anaemia and diabetes: a future challenge for nephrologists

The combination of diabetes and chronic kidney disease is associated with increased mortality and reduced quality of life. Recent studies have shown that, in general, late referral of patients to the renal unit increases mortality, and that patients with diabetes who are referred late have a particularly poor prognosis. Several co-morbid conditions have been shown to contribute to poor patient outcomes, including both cardiovascular disease and anaemia. In patients with diabetic nephropathy, anaemia is more severe and is seen earlier than in patients with non-diabetic renal disease. Although the treatment of anaemia with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO; epoetin) is well established, the only data currently available concerning the effects of early intervention in patients with diabetic nephropathy are from small-scale studies. Therefore, two large-scale studies have been designed to provide information on the efficacy of epoetin treatment and on how current management strategies might be improved. The Anaemia CORrection in Diabetes (ACORD) study will provide information on the potential cardiac benefits of early anaemia management in patients with early, type 2 diabetic nephropathy. The Individualised Risk-profiling In DIabEtes Mellitus (IRIDIEM) study will provide evidence-based guidance in risk factor management, by assessing the efficacy of individualized interventions.