Albuminuria in Afro-Caribbeans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: is the sickle cell trait a risk factor?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of albuminuria [raised albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR)] in an out-patient population of Afro-Caribbeans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to determine if the possession of the sickle cell trait (SCT) is a risk factor.


METHODS
The ACR in a morning urine sample was determined in each of 181 Afro-Caribbeans with Type 2 DM attending the out-patient clinic at King's Diabetes Centre of King's College Hospital, London. The subjects were genotyped for the SCT, Haemoglobin AS (HbAS).


RESULTS
Although a raised ACR was demonstrated more frequently in those with the SCT than in those without, with an odds ratio of 1.19, this was not statistically significant (P = 0.68).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study the possession of the SCT does not appear to play a significant role in the development of albuminuria. However, a larger study is needed to clarify its role as a risk factor for development of albuminuria in Afro-Caribbeans with Type 2 DM.
Oli
J M
JM
Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. joli@infoweb.abs.net
Watkins
P J
PJ
Wild
B
B
Adegoke
O J
OJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D044383:Black People; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000208:ethnology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000150:complications*