Microalbumiuria and serum creatinine levels in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the commonest endocrine disorders encountered in clinical practice. It is characterized by hyperglycaemia due to an absolute or relative lack of insulin and/or insulin resistance. DM is the major cause of renal morbidity and mortality and diabetic nephropathy is one of chronic kidney failure. The most common lesions involve the glomeruli and are associated clinically with three glomerular syndromes, including non nephritic protienuria, nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure. The present study design included 64 subjects between age group of 55- 68 years admitted in Government Wenlock hospital, Mangalore. The study subjects included 3 groups. Group 1: senile cataract patients without diabetes, Group 2: diabetic subjects with cataract, Group 3: diabetic subjects with cataract and nephropathy. The measurement of the urinary albumin, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance was done. Results were subjected to statistical analysis by Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the values expressed as mean ± SD. There was no significant difference in the age and weight of the subjects. The UACR levels were significantly increased in group 2 & 3 as compared to control subjects. However there was no significant change in the serum creatinine levels. So in conclusion, we would like to say the measurement of serum creatinine and creatinine clearance may falsely indicate the renal function and newer markers has to be found other than microalbuminuria for early detection of nephropathy.