Zhao Z, Huo L, Wang L, et al. - Researchers analyzed data from individuals with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease (DKD; n = 445; 48.8% male; age at onset of diabetes: 48.8 ± 11.0 years; age at enrollment: 57.5 ± 11.6 years) to determine the survival in this population, as well as to unveil the risk factors for mortality in one suburb cohort in Beijing, China. Participants were observed over 3,232 person-years of follow-up, which revealed 78 deaths. Higher risk of mortality and shorter life expectancy were reported in people with DKD, according to data from one Chinese cohort from 2003 through 2015. Older age, higher systolic blood pressure, lower BMI and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate were identified as factors that significantly increased risk of mortality. An urgent requirement for early DKD identification, close monitoring, and effective intervention was highlighted.