Assessment of Albuminuria Frequency in Spot Urine and Associated Factors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of albuminuria in urine among Type 2 diabetic patients attending primary healthcare and to assess the factors influencing albuminuria.

Methods: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study between June 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020, at Kanyon Family Health Center in the Vezirköprü district of Samsun province. The study included 211 individuals. After obtaining informed consent from the participants, a face-to-face study form was administered to gather sociodemographic characteristics, smoking habits, comorbidities, and medication information. Albuminuria was detected using test strips, and the color change in the strip was evaluated by the same researcher in daylight each time, and the albumin/creatinine ratio in instantaneous spot urine was approximately calculated. Data analysis was performed with SPSS 24.0 (SPSS 24.0 for Windows, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results: Of the participants, 52.1% (n=110) were female. The average age was 59.8±13.3 years (min: 25-max: 80). Hypertension was diagnosed in 47.4%, atherosclerotic heart disease in 27%, hyperlipidemia in 23.7%, obesity in 22.7%, and cerebrovascular disease in 2.4%. When the duration of diabetes diagnosis was evaluated, 27.5% had been diagnosed with diabetes for 0-5 years, 26.6% for 6-10 years, 15.6% for 11-15 years, 14.2% for 16-20 years, and 16.1% for more than 20 years. In addition, 39.3% had been regular smokers for the last 6 months and 37% had never smoked in their lives. 78.7% (n=166) of the patients were normoalbuminuric, 19% (n=40) were microalbuminuria, and 2.4% (n=5) were macroalbuminuria when albumin/creatinine ratio in spot urine was evaluated. The incidence of microalbuminuria and severe albuminuria was significantly higher in older patients, those with longer durations of diabetes, and former smokers (all; p<0.001). A positive correlation was found between age, duration of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and albuminuria (r: 0.48, r: 0.68, r: 0.47, r: 0.55; p≤0.05, respectively). Microalbuminuria levels were higher in patients who had smoked throughout their lives compared to smokers and never smokers (p≤0.05). Furthermore, patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes for 16-20 years and over 20 years had higher microalbuminuria levels than those newly diagnosed (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In our study, age, duration of diabetes diagnosis, hypertension, obesity, and smoking history were associated with albuminuria. By integrating practical screening protocols and adopting a holistic approach to patient care, family physicians can play an important role in reducing the burden of diabetic nephropathy in primary health care and improving patient outcomes.