485-P: Insights from Type 2 Diabetes Patients Reveal Education- and Income-Based Disparities in Awareness Surrounding Kidney Disease Risk and Renoprotective Therapies

Objective: Diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and new drug classes including SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown renal benefits for those with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study evaluated T2D patients’ awareness regarding CKD and renoprotective drugs across household income and educational attainment. Method: In an online survey in September 2020, 2,008 adults with T2D not currently being treated for kidney disease rated their level of agreement with statements about CKD risk and renoprotective drugs. Demographic information was collected. Result: The majority (58%) of patients strongly agreed that diabetes increases risk of CKD. Those with an income of $100k and a bachelor’s degree or higher (65%). Only 30% of patients indicated strong concern about CKD risk, and 25% were aware that some T2D drugs have renal benefits. Among those earning $50k-$100k, patients with a high school diploma were more concerned about their risk (44%) than those with some college (24%) or a bachelor’s degree or higher (29%). Those earning >$100k with a bachelor’s degree or higher were more likely to indicate strong awareness that some T2D drugs are renoprotective (34%) than those earning $100k with some college (20%). Conclusion: While few T2D patients are aware that some T2D drugs have renoprotective effects, those with higher education and income are more likely to be aware. These findings emphasize the importance of informing patients about renal health and therapeutic options, in efforts to increase accessibility of SGLT-2 and GLP-1 therapies to all who would benefit.