Diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of high mortality in diabetic patients and the leading cause of uremia

accounting for one-third of uremia. Diabetic nephropathy progresses rapidly and has poor outcomes

so early diagnosis

prevention of progression

and treatment guidance are extremely important for individuals at risk of developing diabetic complications. Proteomics plays an important role in understanding the physiological processes and regulatory mechanisms of type 2 diabetes and can be used to identify individuals at risk of progressive kidney disease and those who respond well to treatment. Plenty of proteomic markers have been identified

but most of these biomarkers reflect the disease status of endstage diabetic nephropathy and lack early diagnostic specificity and accuracy. This paper reviews the potential proteomic markers of diabetic nephropathy and the early management of patients at risk of kidney disease in order to provide new ideas for the early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy and determine the course of the disease.