Relationship Between Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Risk of Microalbuminuria in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Nephropathy is a common complication of Diabetes Mellitus that could lead to End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). Microalbuminuria is important as an ‘early marker’ of renal disease as it represents a time when renal biopsy shows no or minimal changes. Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) represents the average glucose concentration over the period of 2-3 months and is accepted as a useful index of mean blood glucose. The purpose of the study was to study the relationship between HbA1c and urinary microalbumin in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A prospective study was conducted on 200 known diabetics. Detailed history was taken and thorough physical examination of all the patients was done followed by HbA1c estimation by Bio Rad D10 HPLC machine and microalbumin by Nyco Card Microalbumin test kit. Statistical analysis was done using Karl Pearson’s correlation using SPSS software version 19. 56.5% of the cases were males and 43.5% females. 43.5% cases were positive for microalbumin, of which 47% had duration of diabetes between 5 to 10 years (p<0.05). 35% cases had HbA1c in the range of 8.1-10% of which 67% had microalbuminuria (p<0.05) . Microalbuminuria showed a significant correlation with HbA1c and duration of diabetes, thus serving as an invaluable tool in monitoring of glycaemic status and screening for diabetic nephropathy.