Factors associated with microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes patients in Nan Hospital, Thailand

Objective: To determine risk factors associated with microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes patients. Method: This retrospective study was performed on 198 patients with type 2 diabetes attending the diabetes clinic at Nan Hospital in Northern Thailand. Basic information (i.e., gender, age, weight, body mass index) of patients and factors associated with microalbuminuria [i.e., fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), low-density lipoprotein, blood pressure, urine microalbuminuria, serum creatinine, foot problem, eye problem] were investigated. Comparisons of mean were performed using the Student’s t-tests, and comparisons of proportions using the chi-square tests. Binary logistic regression and odds ratio analyses were performed to determine the relationship between microalbuminuria and risk factors while adjusting for covariates. Results:Of the 198 diabetes patients, the majority were females (54.6%). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 36.4% and of hypertension was 32.8%. The mean serum creatinine of the microalbuminuric group was significantly higher than the normoalbuminuric group (p Conclusion: High level of HbA1C was a risk factor for the development of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes patients. Early detection for diabetic nephropathy and aggressive management of this factor may be essential in preventing or delaying the progression to end-stage renal disease.