Kaburagi Y, et al. - Urinary proteins associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN) were detected with the aid of quantitative proteomic analysis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who subsequently developed DN presented with substantially increased the afamin-to-creatinine ratio (Afa/Cre). Afa/Cre is beneficial for evaluating patients with T2DM at high risk for nephropathy prior to the development of macroalbuminuria or reduced kidney function.