REGULAR PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AND REDUCED OCCURRENCE OF MICROALBUMINURIA IN TYPE-2 DIABETIC-PATIENTS

In order to evaluate the influence of regular non-strenuous physical e xercise on the appearance of microalbuminuria in Type 2 (non-insulin-d ependent) diabetic patients, we have studied a cohort of 372 Type 2 di abetic patients (152 males and 220 females, mean age : 63.59 +/- 0.70 years, evolution time : 10.31 +/- 0.4 years, M +/- SEM). One hundred a nd ninety seven (52.9 %) presented normoalbuminuria, 124 (33.3 %) micr oalbuminuria and 51 (13.7 %) proteinuria. Theses three groups were dif ferent with regard to evolution time, weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio, Hb 1Ac value, prevalence of hypertension and physical activity level. 132 (35.4 %) patients had a regular exercise-induced caloric expenditure under 500 kcal/wk whereas 122 (32.7 %) were between 500 and 1.000 kcal /wk and 118 (31.7 %) over 1.000 kcal/wk. Prevalence of normoalbuminuri c patients was 40.1 %, 52.4 % and 67.7 % respectively (p < 0.01). Prev alence of normoalbuminuric patients remained significatively higher in the patient with the greater physical activity level when adjusted to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, evolution time and HbA1c value. Our results stress the fact that regular non-strenuous p hysical activity may have a protective effect on the appearance of mic roalbuminuria in Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. Whe ther the cardiovascular protective influence of exercise in these pati ents depends on such an effect remains unknown. On the basis of this c ross-sectional evidence, a longitudinal study is now under way.