Abstract

Microalbuminuria (MA), a marker of diffuse endothelial dysfunction has been associated with adverse health outcome in diabetics, hypertensives, and metabolic syndrome and is predictor of all-cause mortality in the general population. There is lack of epidemiological data, regarding prevalence of MA in Indian population, diabetic, hypertensive or otherwise. Objectives: Our objective was to analyze the prevalence and profile of MA in a cross section of Indian population, to evaluate the relationship between MA and chronic diseases and to establish the importance of including urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio (ACR) estimation in routine health checkup clinic. Methods: A cross sectional observational study was undertaken at the health checkup clinic of a tertiary care hospital between September 2016 and February 2018. Data of randomly selected group of patients (n=360) were obtained. Demographic data and medical history were collected by interview. Urine ACR was done from routine biochemistry. Selected patients were screened for presence of urine MA and compared with those who did not have MA. Results: 6.3% patients had MA with no obvious risk factors. Prevalence of MA was 15% in females, 14% in males, 9.2% in smokers, 28% among diabetics, 22% among hypertensives, 25% among patients with ischemic heart disease, 15% among patients with dyslipidemia, 24% among patients with hyperuricemia, and 24% among patients with metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Patient without any identifiable risk factor may have MA. Therefore urine ACR should be included in routine health checkup clinic.

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