Study of the relationship between microalbuminuria and diabetes retinopathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Prospective studies focusing on the relationship between diabetic retinopat hy and the presence of microalbuminuria are lacking. The objective of the p resent study was to determine the potential relationship between both forms of diabetic microangiopathy by means of a five-year long prospective study in which 104 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and with no retinal in volvement at the beginning of the study were included. At the end of the st udy four groups of patients emerged: group 1, made up of 63 patients withou t both retinal involvement and microalbuminuria; group 2, made up of 17 pat ients with both retinopathy and microalbuminuria; group 3, with 16 patients with retinopathy but without microalbuminuria, and group 4, with eight pat ients with microalbuminuria only. In the statistical study, a direct signif icance was observed for both increased levels of HbA1c and total cholestero l; and a reverse significance for increased levels of HDL-cholesterol as we ll as the presence of diastolic arterial hypertension, for group 2 (patient s with both retinopathy and microalbuminuria). For group 3, increased level s of triglycerides and evolution time (patients with retinopathy but withou t microalbuminuria) were significant. In the present study we conclude that microalbuminuria is not a good marker for diabetic microangiopathy defined as renal and retinal involvement, although its presence prompt us to watch more frequently the ocular fundus in diabetic patients.