title: Clinical Utility of Urinaryβ2-Microglobulin in Detection of Early Nephropathy in African Diabetes Mellitus Patients.
abstract: Background. Studies have indicated that diabetic tubulopathy may occur earlier than glomerulopathy, therefore providing a potential avenue for earlier diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy. Urinary beta-2-microglobulin (β2m) was investigated in this study as a potential biomarker in the detection of early nephropathy in type 2 diabetics.Methods. One hundred and two diabetic subjects and 103 controls that met the inclusion criteria had data (sociodemographic, medical history, physical examination, and laboratory) collected. Urinaryβ2m levels and urinary albumin concentration (UAC) were determined.Results. Elevated urinaryβ2m was more frequent among the diabetics (52%, 95% CI: 42.1-61.8%) than among the controls (32%, 95% CI: 22.9-41.2%). The frequency of microalbuminuria was higher in the diabetics (35.3%, 95% CI: 25.9-44.7%) than in the controls (15.5%, 95% CI: 8.4-22.6%). There was a positive correlation between urinaryβ2m and UAC (rho = 0.38,p< 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed BMI (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05-1.45), eGFR (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99), and presence of microalbuminuria (OR: 3.94, 95% CI: 1.32-11.77) as independent predictors of elevated urinary beta-2-microglobulin among the diabetics.Conclusion. Urinaryβ2m may be useful, either as a single test or as a component of a panel of tests, in the early detection of diabetic nephropathy.
authors.affiliation: University of Uyo and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: U E
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3911-5564
authors.initials: UE
authors.lastname: Ekrikpo
authors.affiliation: University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Effa
authors.affiliation: University of Uyo and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Akpan
authors.affiliation: University of Uyo and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Obot
authors.affiliation: University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kadiri