ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HBA1C AND URINARY ALBUMIN FOR EARLY NEPHROPATHY IN TYPE 2 DIABETES

Abstract

Background: Urinary albumin excretion is considered an early marker of renal impairment in diabetic patients. The presence of albumin in urine, even in small amounts, signifies a disruption in the glomerular filtration barrier, which may precede overt clinical nephropathy. Several studies have indicated a correlation between HbA1c levels and urinary albumin excretion. Despite these findings, the relationship between HbA1c and urinary albumin excretion is complex and may be influenced by various factors, including the duration of diabetes, age, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Material & Methods: A total of 180 subjects were included in the study diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. 3 The cases were further categorized based on their albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR): 60 patients with normo-albuminuria (ACR < 30 mg/dL) and 60 patients with microalbuminuria (ACR 30-299 mg/dL). Additionally, 60 healthy subjects served as controls. The collected blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes, and the separated plasma was stored for biochemical analysis. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio was measured using the immune-turbidometric method. Results: A clear trend of worsening biochemical parameters with the progression from normo-albuminuria to micro-albuminuria, emphasizing the importance of early detection and management of blood sugar levels to prevent renal complications was seen. Observations also indicates a significant correlations between urine albumin levels and various biochemical parameters in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. The strongest correlation with serum creatinine underscores the importance of monitoring renal function in these patients, while associations with fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels, as well as HbA1C, highlight the role of glycemic control in the prevention of kidney complications. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant relationship between HbA1c levels and urinary albumin excretion in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that higher HbA1c may indicate an increased risk of nephropathy. Regular monitoring of both markers is essential for early detection of renal complications, enabling timely interventions to preserve kidney function.