title: Microalbuminuria associated with diabetic neuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that microalbuminuria may show an independent statistical association with diabetic neuropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study of a prospectively identified cohort was conducted at the University Medical Center. The cohort consisted of 78 consecutive diabetic patients who fulfilled the criteria of having diabetes for greater than 10 yr, a normal serum creatinine, urine negative for macroalbuminuria by a commonly used dipstick method, a blood glucose less than 13.8 mM (less than 250 mg/dl), and an HbA1 less than 11% (normal range 5.5-8.5%). Medical record review established the presence of chronic complications of diabetes. Urine albumin level was measured by radioimmunoassay. Albumin concn greater than or equal to 15 mg/L was used as a cutoff value for microalbuminuria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five of 78 patients (32%) showed microalbuminuria. Of these, 51% had neuropathy, 39% had retinopathy, 35% arterial hypertension, 17% peripheral vascular disease, and 15% ischemic heart disease. After adjusting for age, sex, and type and duration of diabetes, diabetic neuropathy and hypertension showed a significant association with microalbuminuria. After adjusting for other diabetic complications, diabetic neuropathy showed a significant association with microalbuminuria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microalbuminuria is independently associated with diabetic neuropathy. This association lends support to the theory of a vascular etiology for diabetic distal symmetrical neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ketchum
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wagenknecht
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000419:Albuminuria; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000652:urine; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000652:urine; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000652:urine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000652:urine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin