progressive damage to the kidneys seen in some people with long-standing diabetes. It is manifested as an excessive leakage of protein into the urine followed by gradual decline of the kidney function and even kidney failure. See also diabetic glomerulosclerosis.
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the nephropathy that commonly accompanies later stages of diabetes mellitus; it begins with hyperfiltration, renal hypertrophy, microalbuminuria, and hypertension; in time, proteinuria develops, with other signs of renal failure leading to end-stage renal disease.Medical dictionary. 2011.