ALB and chronic kidney disease: DKD is defined as the presence of altered kidney function in diabetic patients, diagnosed by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or increased urinary albumin excretion (≥30 mg/g creatinine) persisting for >3 months, provided that other causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are excluded [4,5].