Glycated hemoglobin A1c level is associated with high urinary albumin/creatinine ratio in non-diabetic adult population.
Regarding the association between glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and microvascular complications, high HbA1c level in participants without diabetes mellitus (DM) may be associated with a high urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR).



Twelve thousand seven hundred and seventy four participants without DM were included in this study. The participants were divided into three groups according to HbA1c levels: a Low group (<5.7%), Middle group (5.7-6.0%), and High group (>6.0%). A high UACR was defined as UACR ≥3.9 mg/g for men and UACR ≥7.5 mg/g for women.



The proportions of participants with a high UACR in the Low, Middle, and High groups were 22.4%, 27.9%, and 38.1%, respectively. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that logUACR was greatest in the High group compared to the other groups. For participants without metabolic syndrome (MetS), the proportions of participants with high UACR and logUACR values were greatest in the High group compared to the other groups. For participants with MetS, no differences were found for proportions of participants with high UACR and logUACR values in the Low, Middle, and High groups.



Non-DM participants with relatively high HbA1c levels should be closely monitored for UACR, especially if participants do not have MetS. KEY MESSAGES HbA1c level was positively associated with the proportion of participants with a high UACR and logUACR in participants without DM. For participants without MetS, the proportion of participants with a high UACR was greater in the High group than in the other groups and logUACR was greatest in the High group compared to the other groups. For participants with MetS, there were significant associations between HbA1c and the proportion of participants with a high UACR as a categorical variable or logUACR as a continuous variable, but the statistical significance of this finding was weak. No differences were found for proportions of participants with high UACR and logUACR values in the Low, Middle, and High groups.
a Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine , Yeungnam University Hospital , Daegu , Republic of Korea.
Seok Hui
SH
Kang
a Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine , Yeungnam University Hospital , Daegu , Republic of Korea.
Jong Won
JW
Park
a Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine , Yeungnam University Hospital , Daegu , Republic of Korea.
Jun Young
JY
Do
a Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine , Yeungnam University Hospital , Daegu , Republic of Korea.
Kyu Hyang
KH
Cho
D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D000418:Albumins; D003404:Creatinine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
Diabetes mellitus; glycated hemoglobin A1c; metabolic syndrome; urinary albumin/creatinine ratio