Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic nephropathy among Thai patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end stage renal disease. Clinically, DN is classified into 3 stages: microalbuminuria (MA), macroalbuminuria and ESRD. The prevalence and risk factors of DN among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Thailand have not been well studied.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of DN in patients with T2DM and to determine their associated risk factors.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study evaluating 877 T2DM patients from the out-patient department of seven public hospitals in Thailand was performed. Three random spot urine samples from all patients were collected during 3 consecutive months. Normoalbuminuria, MA and macroalbuminuria were defined as the presence of at least two out of three spot urine tests for urine albumin/creatinine ratio showing less than 30, 30-300 and more than 300 mg/gm respectively.

RESULTS

Most patients were female, 60 years of age or older, with BMI above 25 kg/m2, a family history of DM, uncontrolled blood pressure, HbA1c above 7.0% and LDL above 100 mg/dl. The prevalence of normoalbuminuria, MA and macroalbuminuria was 62.8, 26.0 and 11.2% respectively. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in T2DM with normoalbuminuria, MA and microalbuminuria was 18.5, 35.5 and 48.0% respectively. Associated risk factors of DN were the duration of DM, HbA1c levels and uncontrolled hypertension.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of all DN was 37.2%. Associated risk factors of DN were the duration of DM, HbA1c levels and uncontrolled hypertension.