Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0673

Correlation Analysis of Kidney Pathology and Clinical Indicators in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

Session Information

• Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics Research - ANCA/FSGS
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Glomerular Diseases

• 1402 Glomerular Diseases: Clinical, Outcomes, and Therapeutics

Authors

• Ma, Hualin, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Hualin Ma, PhD

• Li, Youqi, Huizhou Central People's Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong, China

Youqi Li, DrMed

• Tang, Yumeng, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Yumeng Tang, MSc

• Ke, Yixi, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Yixi Ke

Background

To correlate renal pathology (podocyte density, collagen I/IV, CD68+ macrophages) with clinical/functional progression in DN, compare distributions across eGFR decline groups.

Methods

Two-center retrospective study of 40 biopsy-proven DN patients (2017-2025). IHC for WT1 (podocyte), collagen I/IV, CD68. QuPath quantified podocyte density, % collagen I+ area, % collagen IV in glomerular loops, % CD68+ area. Statistics: t-test/Mann-Whitney U/chi-square; correlations with FDR.

Results

Podocyte density negatively correlated only with uric acid (r=-0.503, adjP=0.018), lower in eGFR decline >5 vs ≤5 mL/min/1.73m²/year (P=0.043). % collagen I+ area: negative with hemoglobin (r=-0.343, P=0.035), positive with creatinine (r=0.552, adjP=0.003) & BUN (r=0.538, adjP=0.003), negative with eGFR (r=-0.540, adjP=0.003). % collagen IV+ and CD68+ showed no correlations with any clinical indicators nor differences across eGFR decline groups (all P>0.05). No four indicators correlated with 24h urine protein (all P>0.05). DN stage negatively with hemoglobin, albumin, eGFR (all P<0.05) but not with four indicators (all P>0.05). K-W nodule+ patients had lower albumin, hemoglobin, eGFR, higher creatinine, BUN, % collagen I+ area (all P<0.05), but no correlation with podocyte density, collagen IV, CD68 (all P>0.05).

Conclusion

Decreased podocyte density associates with high uric acid; hyperuricemia may be a key risk factor for podocyte injury in DN. Podocyte density differs across eGFR decline groups, but independent prediction value requires validation. Excessive collagen I correlates with renal impairment & anemia, reflecting fibrosis & static injury. K-W nodules are key severity markers. Collagen IV & CD68+ have no clear clinical relevance in early/middle DN.