Albuminuria and associated medical risk factors: A cross-sectional study in 476 type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. Part 1

Albumin concentration in a morning urine sample was analyzed in a cross-sectional study in 476 insulin-dependent diabetic patients. The following groups of patients were defined: A) normal urinary albumin (urine albumin <12.5 mg/L); B) high normal albuminuria (12.5–30 mg/L); C) microalbuminuria, ie, incipient nephropathy (31–299 mg/L); and D) clinical nephropathy (≥300 mg/L). The prevalences of incipient and clinical diabetic nephropathy were 24.8 and 14.4%, respectively. There were no differences in clinical parameters such as age, age at onset or duration of diabetes, blood pressure, serum creatinine, or HbA_1c levels between groups A and B. The frequency of retinopathy in these groups was 55 and 50%, respectively. In group C, there were increases in age, duration of diabetes, blood pressure, serum creatinine, and HbA_1c levels. The frequency of retinopathy was higher (80%), and more patients had severe forms (47%). In group D, there were further increases in all parameters and, in addition, younger age at onset of diabetes. The frequency of retinopathy was 97%, and severe forms of retinopathy were more common (86%). Seventeen percent of the patients were treated for hypertension. These patients were older, had longer duration of diabetes, and had higher levels of blood pressure, serum creatinine, and urinary albumin, as well as a younger age at onset of diabetes than patients not requiring antihypertensive treatment.