What Is Diabetic Nephropathy? Diabetic nephropathy is a type of progressive kidney disease that occurs in people who have diabetes. The University of Washington estimates that 20 to 40 percent of people with diabetes will get diabetic nephropathy at some point in their lives (UW, 2012). Diabetes is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among Americans and Europeans (ADA, 2004).