Prevalence and Risk Factors of Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in a Diabetic Clinic of Ardabil-Iran

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes and their relationship with risk factors. Materials & Methods: The study was performed at the outpatient diabetes clinic of Ardabil. We selected patients who had no evidence of proteinuria in urinalysis and without abnormal serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. The patients were directed to provide timed 24 hour urine samples for assessment of urinary albumin twice in a period of 2-3 months. In the course of processing case histories the factors considered were duration of diabetes, hypertension history, smoking habits and number of visits during the previous year. Laboratory investigations included FBS, HbA1c, Tg, Cholesterol (Total, HDL, LDL), BUN and creatinine. Results: The prevalence of microalbuminuria (AER 31-299 mg/24 hr) was 30.5%. Significant differences were found with regard to duration of diabetes (p<0.01), hypertension (p<0.0001) and smoking habits (p<0.05) and the mean value of fasting plasma glucose (171±71 v.s 138±48, p=0.01) and triglyceride, (247±142 v.s 201±105, p=0.05). HbA1c levels (7.3±1.3 v.s 6.5±1.3, p=0.01) were significantly high in patients with microal- buminuria as compared to patients with nor- moalbuminuria, serum cholesterol; HDL and LDL showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Microalbuminuria was a major problem in our patients. Hypertension, smoking, poor glycemic control, duration of diabetes and serum levels of triglyceride were risk factors for development of microalbuminuria.