PREVALENCE OF MICROALBUMINURIA IN FRENCH TYPE-2 DIABETIC-PATIENTS IN GENERAL-PRACTICE

Microalbuminuria is a risk marker for cardiovascular morbidity and mor tality in Type 2 diabetes. We studied microalbuminuria among French Ty pe 2 diabetic patients in general practice, because we set-up a trial using cardiovascular events as end-points. Two thousand twenty four vo lunteer patients were studied for Urinary Albumin Concentration (UAC) during outpatient visit to general practitioners. The UAC was measured on first samples. If UAC was positive (greater than or equal to 20 mg /l), a second sample was requested. If UAC was positive two times, per sistently elevated UAC was identified (micro or macroalbuminuria). Cli nical characteristic, cardiovascular antecedents and risk factors were studied. One hundred five first samples were excluded due to urinary infection; 1 217 others displayed normal UAC (< 20 mg/l); 63.4 %; grou p N), 557 microalbuminuria (20-200 mg/l;29.0 %, group mu), and 145 oth ers macroalbuminuria (> 200 mg/l; 7.6 %; group M). Among subjects with positive first sample, 26.5 % had persistent albuminuria. There was n o intergroup difference for age, hut males were more frequent in group s mu or M than N (p < 10(-4)). Blood pressure and body mass index vari ed between groups. Smokers and alcoholic subjects were more frequent i n groups mu and M than N (p = 0.037 and p = 0.0003 respectively), as w ere cases with myocardial infarction (p = 0.0026), lower limb arteriti s (p < 10(-4)), and laser-treated diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.0002), A ntihypertensive treatments were taken by 61 % of the subjects. Elevate d UAC (micro or macroalbuminuria) is frequent among french Type 2 diab etic patients cared by their general practitioners, and is associated with a high cardiovascular risk profile. A trial based on elevated UAC is feasible in these patients.