Prevalence of Risk Factors of Early Microalbuminuria among Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients at Lahore

Abstract

Background: Microalbuminuria is an established predictor of poor renal outcomes diabetic patients. Besides the known risk factors like stress, physical inactivity, and hypertension, there is a strong correlation between microalbuminuria and duration of diabetes mellitus type 2.

Objectives: This study was planned to estimate prevalence of microalbuminuria among diabetic patients with at least 5 years of disease history.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was designed to collect information including demography, disease history including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, Hypertension (HTN) etc. Height and weight were measured using standard protocol. Blood sample was taken to test Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphates (ALP), triglyceride, cholesterol, urea and creatinine while urine was collected to measure the microalbuminuria level. Data was entered and analyzed using a SPSS version 20.

Results: Of the total 384 diabetic patients, 39 % were male end 61 % female and the mean age was 49.57(±SD11.68). Overall, 252 (65%) patients had microalbuminuria which was significantly common in female (61%)as compared male (39%).Analysis showed a significant association of microalbuminuria with exercise (<0.001) overweight (<0.001), Total bilirubin (<0.009), AST (<0.003) and urea (<0.004). On the other hand, non-significant parameters were gender, marital status, occupation, not taking drug and education etc. About 41% of the patients reported other comorbidities including hypertension, COPD, asthma etc. along with diabetes however no significant association was seen.

Conclusion: The finding of this study showed high prevalence of microalbuminuria among diabetic patients which is alarming. There is need to create awareness among diabetic patients about the importance of the tight blood glucose control to avoid early onset of microalbuminuria.