[Microalbuminuria and diabetic retinopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its association with more severe diabetic retinopathy in a group of insulin-dependent diabetic patients.


METHODS
During the period of January 1998 to December 2005 we examined 360 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with at least five years of evolution. We evaluated the presence of microalbuminuria by immunoanalysis. Patients were evaluated by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and classified as non-retinopathy, non-proliferative, severe non-proliferative/proliferative, or macular edema.


RESULTS
In this study, 24.1% of patients had microalbuminuria. Most of the patients with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria were male and had a longer history of diabetes. Microalbuminuria was associated with more severe diabetic retinopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
All patients with insulin-dependent diabetes of at least five years' evolution should undergo an evaluation of renal function including tests for microalbuminuria. In the presence of microalbuminuria an ophthalmologic follow-up may be particularly important.
Asensio-Sánchez
V M
VM
Hospital General, Medina del Campo, Valladolid, España. vasensio@hmdc.sacyl.es
Rodríguez-Delgado
B
B
García-Herrero
E
E
Cabo-Vaquera
V
V
García-Loygorri
C
C
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence