Prevalence of Microalbuminuria among Type 2 Diabetic Patients Attending Al-Thawra Hospital and Saref Medical Center in Sana’a City, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus has become increasingly common worldwide, with many serious complications. Diabetic nephropathy is one such complication that affects the kidney and leads to end-stage renal failure worldwide. Microalbuminuria represents an abnormal elevation in urine albumin levels, which is an early marker of diabetic nephropathy. It is likely to be found in one-third or more of diabetic patients. Early recognition of microalbuminuria in diabetic nephropathy permits successful therapeutic intervention and significant postponement of terminal renal failure.
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes patients attending AL-Thawra Hospital and Saref Medical Centre in Sana’a City.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in AL-Thawra Hospital and Saref Medical Center in Sana’a City, during the period (from 1 February to 30 April 2021). 125 Type 2 diabetic patients (diagnosed according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria for diagnosis of diabetes) were selected). Medical records were used to collect data on duration of diabetes, gender, age and body mass index (BMI). Microalbuminuria was assessed using mispa-i3 kits in spot of the morning urine samples.
Results: The prevalence of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria among type 2 diabetic patients was 44.8% and 12 %, respectively. Microalbuminuria had a statistically significant association with longer duration (P = 0.031), and no statistically significant association was found between microalbuminuria and gender (P = 0.419), age (P = 0.299) and body mass index (P = 0.390).
Conclusion: The prevalence of microalbuminuria in this study was considerably high (44.8%) in type 2 diabetes. 44.8% (nearly half) of type 2 diabetic patients in this study are at risk of developing kidney disease due to their high microalbuminuria level. This calls for regular and early screening for microalbuminuria is recommended for all diabetic patients, as early treatment is critical for reducing the progression to the late stage of diabetic nephropathy (overt proteinuria and end-stage renal disease).