NEPHROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH RECENTLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN BLACK AFRICANS

Abstract

Background: Albuminuria is long recognised as a sign of renal disease in diabetes. In
type 1 diabetes, renal disease occurs after a longer duration of diabetic state. In type
2 diabetes, it is more variable.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and any risk factors of albuminuria in shortterm
(£2 yrs) type 2 diabetes.
D e s i g
was
10.3 (7.5) months. Fifty per cent of the study patients were hypertensive. Only 48%
had HbAlc <8% while 36% had HbAlc >9%. The lipid profile of total, LDL - HDLcholesterol
and triglycerides were predominantly within normal limits. Twenty six per
cent were established to have albuminuria of which one patient had macroalbuminuria.
Blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin and lipid parameters were not significantly
different from patients without albuminuria
Conclusion: Albuminuria occurred in a significant proportion of patients with short term
type 2 diabetes. Comparable to studies done elsewhere on short-term type 2 diabetes,
albuminuria is both a sign of nephropathy and a cardiovascular risk factor. It should
be looked for in all patients with type 2 diabetes attending this clinic, even at diagnosis.