The objective of this study was to determine the effects of using antidiabetic drugs by following the NKF - K/DOQI guidelines among diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (stages 3-5), who received treatment regularly for at least two years during October 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008 from the Diabetic Clinic of Nongjik Hospital in Pattani Province. The study included 34 diabetic patients receiving antidiabetic drugs according to the NKF-K/DOQI guidelines and 25 who did not follow those guidelines. Data were collected from OPD cards, blood glucose level records, screening records for chronic kidney disease (stages 3-5) and monitoring medication records. The antidiabetic drug use, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), diabetic complications and medication cost were compared between the groups. SPSS for Windows was used to analyze the data.

Sex, age, co-morbidity and systolic blood pressure were comparable in the 2 groups. Of the group following the guidelines, the mean of eGFR increased to 7.5 ± 5.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 and the mean of HbA1c level decreased to 1.6 ± 0.8% after the program, whereas little change was observed in the other group. The prevalence of diabetic complications was significantly lower in the group following the guidelines than in the other. The group following the guidelines had little increase in medication cost, compared to the other group.

The assessment of antidiabetic drug use among diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (stages 3-5) may be useful.