Main Article Content
A review of micro albuminuria and its concmitants.
Abstract
Aim: To collate information on the aetiology, concomitants, pathogenesis and management of micro albuminuria to guide in patient management.
Methods: An English language literature search using medline (1991-2000) was done to access research/review articles on micro albuminuria. The study design and quality were assessed, with particular attention to subject selection, definition of outcome variables, and applicability of the results to the management of patients at risk.
Results: Micro albuminuria refers to a urinary albumin excretion of 30-300mg/24hours. Timed collection is the gold standard for research into albuminuria but an albumin: creatinine ratio is sensitive and specific enough. Large variations, however, occur in urinary albumin excretion rates. Micro albuminuria is associated with systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other clinical states. Microalbuminurics have a higher prevalence of hyperlipidaemia, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction and stroke.
Conclusions: Many studies have demonstrated the association of micro albuminuria with cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanism of albuminuria and organ damage is still not clear. Anti hypertensives such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers have a beneficial effects of lowering the degree of micro albuminuria.
Key words: Micro albuminuria, concomitants, review.
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.7(1) 2002: 54-56]
Methods: An English language literature search using medline (1991-2000) was done to access research/review articles on micro albuminuria. The study design and quality were assessed, with particular attention to subject selection, definition of outcome variables, and applicability of the results to the management of patients at risk.
Results: Micro albuminuria refers to a urinary albumin excretion of 30-300mg/24hours. Timed collection is the gold standard for research into albuminuria but an albumin: creatinine ratio is sensitive and specific enough. Large variations, however, occur in urinary albumin excretion rates. Micro albuminuria is associated with systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other clinical states. Microalbuminurics have a higher prevalence of hyperlipidaemia, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction and stroke.
Conclusions: Many studies have demonstrated the association of micro albuminuria with cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanism of albuminuria and organ damage is still not clear. Anti hypertensives such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers have a beneficial effects of lowering the degree of micro albuminuria.
Key words: Micro albuminuria, concomitants, review.
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.7(1) 2002: 54-56]
