title: Association between Albuminuria and Different Body Constitution in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Taichung Diabetic Body Constitution Study.
abstract: Objective. Albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients increases the risk of diabetic nephropathy, the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Because albuminuria is modifiable, identifying relevant risk factors could facilitate prevention and/or management. This cross-sectional study investigated whether body constitution (BC) independently predicts albuminuria. Method. Patients with T2DM (n = 846) received urinalysis, a blood test, and diabetic retinopathy examination. Albuminuria was defined by an elevated urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (≥30 μg/mg). BC type (Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Phlegm stasis) was assessed using a body constitution questionnaire (BCQ). Traditional risk factors for albuminuria were also recorded. Odds ratios (ORs) of albuminuria for BC were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Results. Albuminuria was more prevalent in patients with Yang deficiency or Phlegm stasis (both P < 0.01). After adjustment, patients with both Yang deficiency and Phlegm stasis exhibited a significantly higher risk of albuminuria (OR = 3.037; 95% confidence interval = 1.572-5.867, and P < 0.001). Conclusion. BC is strongly associated with albuminuria in T2DM patients. Using a BCQ to assess BC is noninvasive, convenient, and inexpensive and can provide information for health care professionals to identify T2DM patients who are at a high risk of albuminuria.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan ; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Han Ming Hospital, Changhua 50072, Taiwan ; School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Biostatistics, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan ; Department of Health Administration, College of Health Science, Asian University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsai-Chung
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan ; Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan ; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
authors.forename: I-Te
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation, Taipei 11557, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsin-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation, Taipei 11557, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ya-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan ; School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Su