A retrospective study of microalbuminuria in patients of diabetes and hypertension

Introduction: The microalbuminuria is defined as urinary excretion rate of albumin is between 20 µg/min and 200 µg/min or between 30 mg/24 hrs and 299 mg/24 hrs. Proteinuria as well as microalbuminuria are independent predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with essential hypertension. Microalbuminuria is an early marker of diabetic nephropathy. Early recognition of microalbuminuria in diabetic nephropathypermits successful therapeutic intervention and significant postponement of terminal renal failure. Aim: The purpose of present study was to evaluate the prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes and hypertension and to check relationship between severity of hypertension with extent of renal dysfunction and its associated coronary artery disease and target organ damage. Materials and Methods: This retro prospective study was conducted in central clinical laboratory of pathology department at Sir Takhatsinhji General Hospital attached with Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. In present study we included 100 participants of both sexes having diabetes and hypertension. We also included 25 normal healthy, non-diabetics, non-hypertensive people as control group. Results: Duration of diabetes in all patients varies from 6 to 25 years. All patients were positive for microalbuminuria in diabetes ranging from 16-20 years. Most of the patients (80%) were having hypertension for more than 7.5 years were positive for microalbuminuria. Conclusion: ‘Micral test' is a rapid, simple, reliable and cost effective diagnostic tool for detection of microalbuminuria. Blood pressure, blood glucose, serum creatinine and serum cholesterol levels are significantly higher in microalbuminuria patients. Hence, the elevations in diabetic patients mark the need for ‘Micral test' for detection of early renal involvement.