Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, As Predictor of Microalbuminuria, a Risk Factor For Nephropathy In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by proteinuria and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. A case control study was designed to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic subjects. 50 subjects with type 2 diabetes and 50 normal healthy controls were screened for albumin and creatinine. The urinary albumin was calculated in terms of ratio with respect to urinary creatinine and expressed as albumin/creatinine ratio (mg/g). Albumin/Creatinine ratio in controls was found to be 11.05 ± 4.52 mg/g. The mean ± SD of Albumin/Creatinine ratio in total 50 patients was 38.77 ± 23.13 mg/g. The value of urinary albumin between 30 and 300 mg/g of creatinine was considered to be positive for microalbuminuria. Out of total 50 diabetic subjects, 31 patients were found to have albumin excretion of more than 30 mg/g of creatinine in random morning samples and therefore positive for microalbuminuria. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic subjects in this study was 62%. Use of the albumin-to-creatinine ratio in an untimed urinary sample should be recommended as the preferred screening strategy for all diabetic patients.