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resources : fact sheets : sdpi–improving diabetes health outcomes : improving kidney function

Fact Sheets

Special Diabetes Program for Indians: Improving Diabetes Health Outcomes print version print version
(PDF - 301 KB)
Improving Kidney Function updated June 2008

With support from the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, the Indian health system is achieving success in protecting kidney function and preventing and delaying kidney failure in American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes.
  • The percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes who have protein in the urine (proteinuria, a sign that the kidneys are not working properly) decreased 10% from 29% in 1996 to 19% in 2006.
  • ACE inhibitor use in patients with diabetes increased 35% from 42% in 1996 to 77% in 2006. ACE inhibitors are a type of medication that reduces protein in the urine and prevents or delays kidney failure.
As use of ACE inhibitors increases, proteinuria decreases. Source: Indian Health Service Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audit
Why is this important?
  • Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure in the United States.
  • Using ACE inhibitors prevents or slows the progression from diabetes-related kidney disease to kidney failure.
  • Preventing kidney failure is critical to preventing people with diabetes from needing dialysis or kidney transplants. The National Kidney Foundation estimates that the care for patients with kidney failure cost the United States more than $27 billion in 2003. The United States Renal Data System reports that the annual cost of dialysis in the Medicare population was $250,000 per person in 2003.

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