[Classification of the main kidney diseases in diabetes mellitus].

In the suggested classification of affections of the kidneys in diabetes mellitus the main attention is paid to the vascular genesis of the appearing disturbances. The terms used formerly ("diabetic glomerulosclerosis", "diabetic nephropathy") failed to reflect the primary affections of the vessels. The following new terms are suggested: "diabetic microangionephropathy" (affection of the small vessels), "macroangiography" (affection of the large vessels), "diabetic angionephropathy" (complex affection of the renal vessels). "Pyelonephritis" (acute and chronic) was also introduced into the classification due to its exceedingly frequent occurrence in diabetes. The term "diabetic nephropathy" is suggested for complex affection including diabetic angionephropathy and pyelonephritis. Diabetic microangionephropathy should be divided into four clinico-laboratory stages; their characteristics are presented. Particular attention was paid to the accessibility of their diagnosis in medical institutions.