Prevalence of Microalbuminuria and Its Association with Severe Urinary Reflux and Renal Scarring with Reflux Nephropathy in Children Aged Less than 12 Years in Ilam, Iran

Abstract

Background: Vesicoureteral reflux is a common urinary tract abnormality, which could damage the renal parenchyma. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its association with the severity of urinary reflux and renal scarring with reflux nephropathy in children aged less than 12 years referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, Iran. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted during one year on the hospitalized patients who had tested positive for urine and urine culture. After the treatment of urinary tract infection and obtaining a negative urine culture, isotope cystography or radiographic cystography was performed to diagnose urinary reflux. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and correlation-coefficients. Results: The prevalence of microalbuminuria in Ilam province was 35.7%. No significant difference was observed between the rates of microalbuminuria and reflux (P > 0.05). However, the inverse correlation in this regard was not considered significant (P > 0.05). A direct correlation was observed between the rate of microalbuminuria and the incidence and severity of scars, which was considered significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, the mean rate of microalbuminuria in reflux decreased with the increased degree of reflux. Due to the changes in microalbuminuria compared to the severity of urinary reflux, this method cannot be used to determine the severity of reflux, which it could be considered an influential factor and a method used for the early diagnosis and follow-up of patients and preventing final kidney damage and renal failure.