Microalbuminuria in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus; the tip of iceberg of diabetic complications

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its association with hypertension and other diabetic complications among Type-2 diabetic patients attending at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi. METHODS: 1280 Type-2 diabetes patients who visited the outpatient department of Aga Khan University Hospital from September 2014 to August 2016 were included in the study. Microalbuminuria was diagnosed if spot urinary microalbumin excretion was confirmed to be more than 20mg/l. Hypertension was diagnosed if BP >140/90 or already on antihypertensive medications. Other demographic, clinical and laboratory data were also recorded. RESULTS: Microalbuminuria was diagnosed in 404(31.56%) patients and among these albuminuric patients 335(82.9%) had hypertension. They were also dyslipidemic, having raised triglyceride levels, lower HDL levels, with more prevalence of background diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. They also showed higher HbA1C levels and longer duration of diabetes. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the microalbuminuria in our patients with Type-2 diabetes is 31.56% and is not only an early sign of diabetic nephropathy but also a host of other diabetic complications and should be dealt early with strict control of their hyperglycemia and hypertension to help prevent the future complications.