Blood Test Warns of Diabetes Kidney Damage Early

As more researchers investigate the rising numbers of people worldwide living with chronic kidney disease, concerned health professionals are also taking note of the very serious implications for patients. There are several factors contributing to the high number of people suffering from this disease, and many are chronic. For example, as many as 5-10% of people with diabetes will progress to the later stages of their disease (and all diagonal stages), which can lead to the need for dialysis, kidney transplantation, or even death.

Fortunately, researchers have found a way to use a very simple laboratory test to identify patients who may have an increased risk of developing diabetic nephropathy from their diabetes. This study, published in Scientific Reports in 2026, was based on the pooled data of over 14,300 individuals from 39 separate studies that were completed prior to May 2025. Statistically significant results were determined using the Odds Ratio (OR) and Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) to analyze the data.

Main Findings: Early Detection of Risk

Elevated Risk of Nephropathy: For diabetic patients with existing kidney problems, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) were significantly Elevated in diabetic patients vs. those without existing kidney issues. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was 1.31 (p 0.0001), indicating a very strong correlation between the two. The odds of being diagnosed with nephropathy versus not being diagnosed with nephropathy in the diabetic population with elevated NLRs (OR = 2.16).