Determinants of estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study.

Diabetic nephropathy is a critical complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), contributing to global morbidity and mortality. In Jordan, the rising diabetes prevalence has heightened concerns about associated comorbidities. The present study investigated clinical and biochemical determinants of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a key marker of renal function, in patients with T2DM, emphasizing factors that may inform targeted interventions. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 236 patients with T2DM was performed, integrating demographic, clinical and laboratory data. Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression models identified predictors of the eGFR, while patients were stratified into chronic kidney disease (CKD) and non-CKD groups (eGFR thresholds of <60 vs. ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2) for comparative analysis, given the clinical relevance of CKD as a major complication of T2DM. The cohort, comprising 236 patients with T2DM, exhibited advanced age (mean, 60.7±10.4 years) and an elevated BMI (30.2±5.4 kg/m2), reflecting common metabolic comorbidities. Multivariate regression analysis revealed age (β, -0.418; P<0.001) and triglyceride (β, -0.176; P=0.01), serum potassium (β, -0.236; P<0.001) and epidermal growth factor levels (EGF; β, 0.146; P=0.02) as independent predictors of the eGFR, underscoring interlinked metabolic and renal pathways. Comparative analysis of the CKD (n=59) and non-CKD (n=177) groups revealed significant differences in age, insulin resistance (based on Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance), triglyceride levels, hematological indices and potassium levels (P<0.05), reinforcing the role of metabolic dysregulation in renal decline. These findings align with regional trends, where T2DM prevalence exceeds global averages and insulin resistance remains poorly managed. The present study highlighted the importance of integrated management strategies addressing metabolic and renal factors, particularly among older adults with prolonged T2DM. The interplay among potassium, triglyceride and EGF levels highlights potential targets for early intervention. Such approaches may mitigate renal complications in the T2DM population, where delayed diagnosis and metabolic comorbidities exacerbate disease progression.