title: Significance of microalbuminuria in relation to subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic nonhypertensive, nondiabetic subjects.
abstract: We aimed to investigate the significance of microalbuminuria and its relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis in nonhypertensive and nondiabetic patients, by using coronary artery computed tomography (CT). A total of 1,318 nonhypertensive and nondiabetic subjects who had taken coronary artery CT and measured spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) were evaluated. The atherosclerotic changes of coronary arteries were greater in subjects with microalbuminuria, reflected by coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and significant coronary artery stenosis (CACS ≥ 100 in 15.3% vs 7.6% and stenosis ≥ 50% in 11.5% vs 4.9% of patients with vs without microalbuminuria, P = 0.008 and P = 0.011, respectively). Among various parameters that are known as a risk factor or possible biomarkers of coronary artery disease, presence of microalbuminuria, age and Framingham risk score were significantly related to coronary artery stenosis. Among them the presence of microalbuminuria showed stronger correlation than others to the coronary artery stenosis detected by CT, even after adjusting confounding factors (OR 3.397, 95% confidence interval 1.138 to 10.140, P = 0.028). The presence of microalbuminuria by UACR was significantly associated with presence of coronary artery stenosis ≥ 50% in asymptomatic, nonhypertensive and nondiabetic general population. Our study suggests that the presence of microalbuminuria may imply subclinical coronary artery disease, even in asymptomatic population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo Eun
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Nam Ju
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Minkyung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Su-Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000150:complications*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000150:complications; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000737:chemistry; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Coronary Artery; Microalbuminuria; Tomography, X-Ray Computed