Albumin: Creatinine Ratio during long term Diabetes Mellitus in the Assessment of early Nephropathy in Sudanese Population

Abstract

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major causes of chronic renal failure. Microalbuminuria (MAU) has been recognized as an independent and reliable predictor for future development of overt proteinuria in diabetic patients.
Objectives: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried during the period of January-April 2012, in Omdurman Teaching Hospital, to determine Microalbuminuria creatinine ratio, in long term Diabetic patients.
Materials and Methods: Immunoturbidmetric method was used to asses’ microalbuminuria in 50 cases (50%) and 50 controls (50%). Ordinary chemical method (Jaffe reaction) was used for the determination of creatinine for both the groups.
Results: Microalbuminuria in Diabetic patients showed an increase when compared with the control group with P value 0.000. Similarly creatinine also showed an increase in diabetic patients.
Conclusion: It was concluded and is in further affirmation of the previous studies that microalbuminuria should be used as an early indicator for Diabetic Nephropathy. Further studies with 24 hour urine sample are recommended for assessment of Microalbuminuria in long term Diabetic patients, provided that the patients are on a normal diet with regular treatment for diabetes.

Key words: Microalbuminuria, Creatinine, Diabetes mellitus, Nephropathy.