BackgroundPatients with type 1 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of death. This risk appears to be modulated by kidney dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), its traits, and clinical correlates in a large sample of patients with type 1 diabetes. MethodsClinical data of 20464 patients with type 1 diabetes were extracted from electronic medical records. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and increased urinary albumin excretion were considered. ResultsMean age of the patients was 4616years, 55.0% were males, and duration of diabetes 19 +/- 13years. The frequency of diabetic kidney disease, low eGFR, and albuminuria was 23.5%, 8.1%, and 19.5%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis the presence of diabetic kidney disease was associated with age (odds ratio [OR]=1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-1.18), duration of diabetes (OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.07), and worse glycemic control (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.21-1.28, for every 1% glycated hemoglobin increase). Diabetic kidney disease was also independently associated with an atherogenic lipid profile and increased systolic blood pressure. Glucose control, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with both low eGFR and albuminuria. Male gender, retinopathy and smoke were related to albuminuria, being female was related to low eGFR, while SUA levels were associated with DKD, low eGFR and albuminuria. ConclusionsIn our sample of patients with type 1 diabetes, diabetic kidney disease entails an unsafe cardiovascular risk profile. Hyperglycemia, arterial hypertension, and atherogenic lipid profile affected both low eGFR and albuminuria. Retinopathy and smoking were related only to albuminuria while being female and elevated serum uric acid were associated only with low eGFR.