Evaluation of Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin and Kidney Injury Molecule-1 as Diagnostic Markers for Early Nephropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was evaluating the early diagnostic value of two specific tubular markers neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in diabetes nephropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study was carried in three groups of patients from 10/2017 to 10/2018 in Military Hospital 103. Group I included 30 healthy peoples with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and urine albumin creatinine ratio (uACR) <30 mg/g. Group II included 30 type 2 diabetic patients having uACR <30 mg/g, eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Group III included 30 type 2 diabetic patients having uACR >30 mg/g, eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). RESULTS: Urine KIM-1 and NGAL increased progressively from control group (57.29 ± 25.91 pg/mL; 25.71 ± 13.69 ng/mL) to the group of diabetic patients with uACR <30 mg/g (167.06 ± 44.01 pg/mL; 37.42 ± 10.89 ng/mL) and the group of diabetic patients with uACR ≥30 mg/g) (p < 0.05). There were moderate correlations between KIM-1 (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) and NGAL (r = 0.45, p < 0.05) with uACR. There was a mild correlation between KIM-1 and NGAL (r = 0.29, p < 0.05). KIM-1 and NGAL are the independent tests to detect diabetic nephropathy. The sensivity and specificity of KIM-1 with cut-off value of 174.95 pg/mL were 62.37% and 73.48%, respectively; the sensivity and specificity of NGAL with cut-off value of 35.2 ng/mL were 60.45% and 70.37%, respectively. CONCLUSION: KIM-1 and NGAL in urine are independent markers for early diagnostic diabetic nephropathy.