PREVALENCE AND EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MICRO-ALBUMINURIA AND MACROALBUMINURIAIN ETHIOPIAN DIABETIC-PATIENTS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on the prevalence and epidemiolo gy of micro-and macroalbuminuria in diabetic outpatients in Gondar, Et hiopia. Microalbuminuria was defined as a mean urinary albumin concent ration of 30-299mg L-1 in morning urine of three consecutive visits. T he frequency of micro-and macroalbuminuria was 32% and 15% in IDDM pat ients and 37% and 20% in NIDDM patients, respectively. When only patie nts with a duration of more than 5 years were considered, micro-and ma croalbuminuria were prevalent in 33% and 23% of IDDM, and 36% and 31% of NIDDM patients, respectively. In multiple regression analysis, urin ary albumin levels (log) were significantly associated with systolic b lood pressure and duration in IDDM patients even when proteinuric pati ents were excluded from the analysis. In NIDDM patients duration and d iastolic blood pressure were significant predictors of urinary albumin concentrations. In order to delay chronic complications, screening fo r microalbuminuria by stick-testing in urine should be introduced into routine laboratory practice in developing countries. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science Inc.