Assessment of the association between diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease in adult cats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is the main cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in humans. The relationship between the 2 diseases in cats is unclear. Objective: To assess the association between diabetes and CKD in a population of adult cats. Animals: Five hundred sixty-one cats that attended 2 veterinary centers in Gran Canaria, Spain, between 2014 and 2016. Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Cats aged 3 years or older, with sufficient data to define whether or not they had diabetes and CKD, were selected. Cats in critical condition, with dehydration or potential causes of prerenal azotemia and those treated with nephrotoxic drugs were excluded. Diagnosis of CKD was established when creatinine concentrations were >2 mg/dL, or serum creatinine 1.6-2 mg/dL and urine specific gravity <1.035, or serum creatinine 1.6-2 mg/dL and urine protein/creatinine ratio >0.4. Factors associated with CKD were identified through multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Sixty-seven (11.9%) cats had CKD and 16 (2.9%) cats had diabetes. Sixty cats without diabetes (11%) and 7 with diabetes (44%) had CKD. Among the latter, both conditions were diagnosed simultaneously in 6 cases, whereas diabetes preceded CKD in the other. Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes was significantly associated with CKD (odds ratio = 4.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.51-13.28; P =.007). Other variables associated with CKD were age and mixed breed. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: After adjusting for age, this study showed an association between diabetes and CKD in adult cats.