Dietary patterns have been linked to various chronic diseases, but sparse data are available for renal dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. We aimed to examine associations between dietary patterns and glycemic and renal function indicators in type 2 diabetes in Taiwan. In 2008, we obtained habitual dietary intake data using food frequency questionnaires from 702 type 2 diabetic patients recruited from the DMIDS cohort established in Taiwan. Factor scores of dietary patterns including high fat meat (meat, smoked or fried meat, seafoods), traditional Chinese (soy, root vegetables and low-nitrogen stach, nuts)and vegetable and fish prudent pattern) were generated using principal components analysis. After adjustment for clinical and lifestyle confounders, traditional Chinese pattern scores correlated positively with hemoglobin A1c levels (p=0.005). For renal function indicators, high fat meat pattern scores correlated positively with urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) (p=0.036). Both dietary patterns, including traditional Chinese and vegetable/fish prudent dietary patterns correlated with increases in eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2). Based on multiple food group consumption data, these findings are consistent with beneficial effects of consuming healthy foods with moderate protein levels and an adverse effect of meat intake on clinical renal function.
