Sex and Gender Related Differences in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diversity in sex and gender are important considerations in the pathogenesis, prognostication, research, and management of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Sex and gender differences in the disease risk, disease-specific mechanisms, and outcomes in DKD may be attributed to biological differences between males and females at the cellular and tissue level, inconsistencies in the diagnostic and assessment tools used in chronic kidney disease and DKD, as well societal differences in the way men, women, and gender-diverse individuals self-manage and interact with health care systems. This review outlines key considerations related to the impact of sex on DKD, specifically elaborating on how they contribute to observed differences in disease epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies. We also highlight the effect of gender on DKD progression and care.