Fig 4. Heterogeneity of DKD pathogenesis and amount of proteinuria: Dominancy of macroangiopathy or microangiopathy.

Patients with modest proteinuria are more likely to be male and elderly. They tend to have an atrophic kidney and a history of atherosclerotic CVD (macroangiopathy). Meanwhile, patients with massive proteinuria tend to receive insulin and suffer from overhydration. They are characterized by preserved kidney size and advanced diabetic retinopathy (microangiopathy). Abbreviations: CAD, coronary artery disease; CI, cerebral infarction; DKD, diabetic kidney disease.