Aims Diabetic nephropathy is one of the consequences of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and one of the main causes of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) as well as an important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and death. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy in diabetic patients. Instruments & Methods In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 121 patients (66 females and 55 males) with type 2 diabetes in Karbala, Iraq from October 2019 to April 2021were studied. In the first stage, a complete history of the patients was taken and then a physical examination was performed. After that, 5 ml of aspirated blood and 100 ml of urine were collected from each patient and both were sent to the laboratory for biochemical tests and urinalysis. The collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 22 software and Chi-square test. Findings Out of 121 diabetic patients, 77 (63. 6%) had diabetic nephropathy. The incidence of diabetic nephropathy was higher in men than women. There was a significant relationship between age, persistent hyperglycemia, obesity, and duration of diabetes with diabetic nephropathy (p<0. 05). Conclusion Age, persistent hyperglycemia, obesity and duration of diabetes are involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic patients.