The Cluster of Abnormalities Related to Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Reduced Glomerular Filtration Rate and Raised Albuminuria in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: As association of metabolic syndrome (MS) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been extensively studied in patients with type 2 diabetes, we addressed these issues. METHODS: Intrapersonal means of 12 measurements of waist circumference, blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and those of six measurements of fasting triglycerides during 12 months were calculated in a cohort of 168 previously reported Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Based on these means, MS was diagnosed according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria with the Asian definition of abdominal obesity. CKD was defined as the presence of low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), albuminuria (urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥ 30 mg/g) or both. RESULTS: Of 168 patients, 77 patients (46 %) had MS and 67 (40 %) had CKD. As the number of MS components increased from 1 through 5, the prevalence of albuminuria (9%, 38%, 30%, 41%, and 50%, P < 0.001), low eGFR (0%, 10%, 24%, 22%, and 50%, P < 0.001) and consequently, CKD increased (9%, 41%, 48%, 52%, and 75%, P < 0.001). Urinary ACR increased and eGFR decreased as a function of the number of MS components. As compared to patients without MS, prevalence of low eGFR (26% vs. 7%, P = 0.001) and CKD (52% vs. 30%, P = 0.005) was higher in patients with MS but prevalence of albuminuria did not differ (36% vs. 27%, P = 0.2). CONCLUSION: In Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, the cluster of abnormalities related to MS was associated not only with higher prevalence of albuminuria, reduced kidney function and hence the increase in CKD but also with corresponding changes in urinary ACR and eGFR.