Backgrounds/Aims
Microalbuminuria is considered a marker of extensive endothelial dysfunction and is associated with excess of other cardiovascular
risk factors. Our aim is to assess the importance of the presence of microalbuminuria in elderly diabetic patients.
Methods
A total of 40 normotensive elderly type 2 diabetic patients of both genders with mean age >65 years were randomly included
and were further subdivided according to the presence of persistent microalbuminuria into microalbuminuric and normoalbuminuric
groups.
Patients and methods
All patients in both groups were subjected to thorough clinical and laboratory investigations including the assay of serum
thrombomodulin (TM) and glycosylated hemoglobin level. Early-morning midstream urine samples were evaluated for levels of
beta 2 microglobulin, alpha 1 microglobulin, TM, and N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG).
Results
There was no significant difference between both groups regarding the clinical demographic characteristics. There were statistically
significant higher values for glycosylated hemoglobin percentage, serum triglycerides and serum TM and urinary B2 microglobulin,
urinary alpha 1 microglobulin, urinary NAG and urinary thrombomodulin in microalbuminuric group in comparison to normoalbuminuric
group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Microalbuminuria is associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction in elderly normotensive type 2 diabetic patients. We
recommend incorporation of periodic testing for microalbuminuria in this sector of patients
Keywords Microalbuminuria - Elderly diabetics - Endothelial dysfunction