[Persistent microalbuminuria in insulin-dependent diabetics and cardiovascular risk factors]

A possible association of cardiovascular risk factors and early diabetic nephropathy was investigated in 32 patients. Microalbuminuria (radioimmunoassay), total and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides (enzymatic methods), glycosylated hemoglobin (colorimetric methods), Apo A1 and B (immunonephelometric) and LDL were measured. Microalbuminuria was present in 28% of patients. Compared to subjects with no microalbuminuria they had increased levels of cholesterol (200.2 +/- 13.5 (SE) vs 168.6 +/- 9.4 mg/dl, p < 0.025) and LDL cholesterol (171.9 +/- 14.1 vs 137.4 +/- 9.1 mg/dl, p < 0.025). Systolic blood pressure was also higher in patients with microalbuminuria (127.8 +/- 3.9 vs 114.5 +/- 2.8 mmHg, p < 0.01). Microalbuminuria was correlated to the level of diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.74, p < 0.025). Thus, persistent microalbuminuria in insulin dependent diabetic patients is associated to cardiovascular risk factors which may explain the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients.