Risk Factors of Microalbuminuria and Macroalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in North of Iran - Rasht

Abstract

Background: Higher urinary albumin excretion has been suggested as a predicting diabetic nephropathy. Objectives: The present study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors associated with albuminuria in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in north of Iran, Rasht. Methods: Two hundred and four patients who referred to a diabetes center in north of Iran were enrolled in the current study. Urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. Microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria were considered as a UAE rate of 30 to 300 mg /24-h and more than 300 mg/24-h, respectively. Risk factors associated with albuminuria were evaluated by backward stepwise logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of micro and macroalbuminuria was 17.2% and 17.6%, respectively. Microalbuminuria was significantly associated with longer diabetes duration, increased fasting plasma glucose, and diastolic blood pressure. It was also found that higher plasma glucose and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) were risk factors for macroalbuminuria. Conclusions: Prevalence of both micro- and macroalbuminuria was high in the patients of this study. Therefore, it seems that controlling blood glucose and lowering blood pressure, even in the absence of hypertension-prehypertension, should be considered for patients with microalbuminuria.