RELATIVE FREQUENCY OF MICROALBUMINURIA IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES ATTENDING THE DIABETES CLINIC AT IMAM KHOMEINY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (2001-2002)

The urinary excretion of minimal quantities of albumin (microalbuminuria) is predictive of renal failure and cardiovascular mortality. The detection and prompt treatment of microalbuminuria is crucial to the prevention and progress of renal failure in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relative frequency of microalbuminuria in different age groups of men and women attending the diabetes clinic at Imam Khomeini University Hospital. 123 patients each provided a 12-hour urine sample, collected in standard fashion. Urinary albumin was measured by immunoturbidometry. The frequency of microalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion between 30mg and 300mg in a 24-hour sample) was assessed in different age groups in men and women, according to duration of diabetes, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), glycosylated haemoglobin levels (A1C), body mass index (BMI), and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Overall, 20.3% of patients had microalbuminuria, 61.1% normoalbuminuria, and 10.6% macroalbuminuria. Patients with microalbuminuria were significantly older (mean age = 58.5 years) than patients with normal albumin excretion (50.3 years). The male-to-female ratio was highest in patients with microalbuminuria and lowest in those with normoalbuminuria. There was no significant difference in GFR, A1C, and blood pressure between patients with normo-, micro-, or microalbuminuria. There was a significant difference in duration of diabetes between normoalbuminuric (9.3 years) and microalbuminuric patients (11.5 years). There was a significant, inverse correlation between BMI and urinary albumin excretion. Renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes deteriorates with increasing age and duration of diabetes. Renal impairment is more common in men than women.