ALB and diabetes mellitus: When we performed multiple logistic analysis after adjusting for DM duration, use of ACEi or ARB, HbA1c, baseline eGFR, baseline UACR, plasma hemoglobin and serum albumin levels, baseline DR severity and DR progression status, DR severity was independently associated with CKD progression showing that NPDR has 2.9 times and PDR has 16.6 times higher risk for CKD progression compared to no DR group (Table 5, p for trend <0.001).