Prevalence and factors associated with decreased renal function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients admitted to Nongdon Hospital, Saraburi Province

Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) represents a critical and escalating complication among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), posing a severe public health challenge characterized by a continuously rising incidence rate. As a primary risk factor, CKD significantly contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the health status, prevalence of CKD, and specific factors associated with declining renal function in T2DM patients. This research utilized a cross-sectional descriptive analytical design, examining a sample of 391 T2DM patients selected from the total patient population receiving medical services at Nong Don Hospital in Saraburi Province between July 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022. Data were systematically retrieved and compiled from the hospital's electronic medical record (EMR) database. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test to determine significant associations, with the threshold for statistical significance set at $p < .05$. The research findings revealed that the average age of the participants was 64.06 years, with an alarmingly high CKD prevalence rate of 56.01%. Furthermore, several factors were found to be significantly associated with decreased renal function: age ($p=.001$), body mass index ($p=.046$), fasting blood sugar ($p=.025$), HbA1c levels ($p=.027$), duration of diabetes ($p=.001$), the use of metformin medication ($p<.001$), and the use of statins ($p=.006$). These results underscore that proactive screening and the continuous, rigorous control of identified risk factors are absolutely essential to preventing the progression of the disease toward end-stage renal failure. Ultimately, the researcher provides evidence-based policy recommendations and practical guidelines for the concrete application of these findings to improve clinical outcomes and long-term patient care strategies in hospital settings.