*4.1. Patients and Urine Samples*

Urine samples were collected from 54 outpatients with T2D and eGFR <sup>≥</sup> 60 mL/min/1.72 m2 who were enrolled in the DKD study at Pusan National University Hospital, South Korea, from February 2010 to January 2011 and who met previously described inclusion and exclusion criteria [54]. After one year, patients were followed-up with until September 2017. Patients were managed according to standard guidelines, including treatment with RAS inhibitors, and eGFR was measured at least twice during a follow-up period <sup>≥</sup>12 months. Renal function decline was defined as an eGFR <sup>&</sup>lt; 60 mL/min/1.72 m2, annual eGFR reduction > 3 mL/min/1.72 m2, or CKD progression, defined as a reduction in GFR category, accompanied by a ≥ 25% deterioration in eGFR from baseline. The patients were divided into two groups—19 with renal outcomes (poor prognosis group (PPG)) and 35 without renal outcomes (good prognosis group (GPG)). The protocols and consent procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board of Pusan National University Hospital (approval No. 2013033). Total proteinuria and albuminuria, as well as creatinine concentrations, were measured in random spot urine samples [55].
