albuminuria as a predictor of diabetic long term complications

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] and non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] patients and their relationship with some known chronic complications of diabetes. Four hundred sixty two patients attending the diabetic clinic Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana during the period from January 1995 to June 1997 were evaluated for urinary albumin excretion rate [UAE] on 24 hour urine collection. One hundred forty six patients [31.6%] 82 males [56.2%] and 64 [43.8%] females were positive for pathological albuminuria. One hundred eight patients [62 males + 48 females = 23.4%] have microalbuminuria and 38 [2 males + 16 females = 8.2%] have macroalbuminuria. Disease duration was 11.6 +/- 7.3 years [9.8 +/- 6 years in patients with microalbuminuria and 13.4 +/- 5.6 years in those with macroalbuminuria. This prevalence was associated with retinopathy [19%] neuropathy [5.5%] cardiopathy [2.8%]. As albuminuria is a good predictor of early diabetic nephropathy so it is advisable to carry out UAE estimation on first visit and annually so as to prevent and or postpone end stage renal adequate therapy