Ultrasonographic Assessment of Renal Dimensions in Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Libya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54361/LJMR.20.1.33Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus, ultrasonography, renal size, renal morphology, diabetic nephropathyAbstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global health concern and one of the leading causes of renal structural and functional alterations. Ultrasonography provides a non-invasive and reliable tool for evaluating renal morphology and detecting early diabetic nephropathy. This study aimed to determine renal dimensions in diabetic patients and to analyze their correlation with age, gender, and diabetes type. Material and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Az Zawiyah Kidney Hospital and Zawia Medical Center from June to September 2023. Sixty-five adult diabetic patients (20–75 years) underwent renal ultrasound using Philips Clearvue 850 and Aloka Prosound 2 scanners. Renal length, width, and cortical thickness were measured to estimate kidney size. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v27, applying descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. Results: The mean right and left renal sizes were 40.06 ± 26.82 cm³ and 51.81 ± 38.47 cm³, respectively. Male patients showed slightly larger renal dimensions than females, though the differences were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). In type 1 diabetes, right kidney size was larger, whereas in type 2 diabetes, the left kidney was comparatively larger. Renal dimensions demonstrated mild correlations with age and gender, but not with diabetes type. Conclusion: Diabetic patients generally exhibit smaller renal dimensions compared to normal values, indicating progressive parenchymal atrophy associated with diabetes duration. Ultrasound remains an effective, safe, and affordable diagnostic tool for detecting early renal alterations in diabetic patients. Further large-scale studies are recommended across Libya to validate these findings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Marwan Elmarmuri, Fathi A. Awushah , Nawal Ali, Rajab M. Ben Yousef , Maryem M. Alswehly , Samar Ehfedah, Hadeel Koshlaf, Saja Kmaje (Author)
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