Introducing Karl and Klara Kidney: The Connection Between Type 2 Diabetes And Kidney Disease

In this animation, we introduce new members in the household of Harold Heart and Bernard Brain: Karl and Klara Kidney; who aim to raise awareness of the connection between type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. Kidney disease and type 2 diabetes are closely linked, and share many of the same risk factors and pathological pathways.¹ Approximately two-thirds of kidney disease cases are attributed to metabolic conditions such as diabetes.^2,3,4 If you are experiencing symptoms like Karl and Klara Kidney, talk to your healthcare professional to find out what you can do to reduce your risk of diabetic kidney disease.

1. Thomas G, Sehgal AR, Kashyap SR, et al. Metabolic syndrome and kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011;6(10):2364–73.
2. Levin A, Tonelli M, Bonventre J, et al. Global kidney health 2017 and beyond: a roadmap for closing gaps in care, research, and policy. Lancet 2017;390:1888-917.
3. United States Renal Data System, USRDS 2012 Annual data report: Atlas of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease in the United States, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 2012. Available from: http://www.usrds.org/reference.htm. See Appendix I, United States Renal Data System (USRDS).
4. Liyanage T, Ninomiya T, Jha V, et al. Worldwide access to treatment for end-stage kidney disease: a systematic review. Lancet 2015; 385(9981):1975-82.