RÉSUMÉ
Microalbuminuria represents the earliest clinical evidence of diabetic nephropathy and Its a marker of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Its early detection allows the implementation of individualised and aggressive intervention programmes to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. This work aimed to study the characteristics of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] patients type 2 and to highlight the increased prevalence of microalbuminuria [MA]. This cross-sectional study carried out in EI-Fahaheel primary health care center, EI-Fahaheel district, Kuwait; between June 2006 and May 2007. A total sample of 550 diabetic patients was approached by diabetologists, out of-which 440 patients [80%] agreed to enroll. All patients completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and underwent medical assessment. First morning blood and urine collections were obtained and were tested for clinical proteinuria using urine dipsticks and for MA using the single Micral-Test II strips. MA was found in 58.2% of the sample population and was significantly more frequent in males [57.8% vs 42.5%] compared to femaler [p <0.05], and among overweight and obese compared to the normal weight individuals [81.6% vs 18.4%], [p <0.0001]. Of the total sample, 12.3% had clinical proteinuria. The presence of MA was statistically significantly associated with presence of chronic complications of DM such as cardiovascular complications [p <0.05], diabetic neuropathy [p <0.0001] and diabetic retinopathy [p = <0.05]. MA could lead to adverse outcomes in diabetic patients. Risk factors for MA and its clinical course are amenable to intervention. Provision of annual screening for MA in diabetic patients by the highly sensitive and cheap dip-stick technology is highly cost-effective