Abstract
AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of albuminuria and compare its risk factors in diabetic and hypertensive patients. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter registry across China. Consecutive patients were registered with the Cardiology and Endocrine departments in 40 centers. Clinical characteristics were collected, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) was measured using the immunochemical method. RESULTS: Of the 2510 patients enrolled in the study, 1515 underwent UACR testing and were included in the present analysis. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 13.0% and 16.1% while that of macroalbuminuria was 2.5% and 5.0%, in the Cardiology and Endocrinology departments, respectively. HbA1c and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were independent risk factors for albuminuria. The relationship of blood pressure (BP) and HbA1c with albuminuria was continuous and graded. Compared with the reference level of SBP 130-139 mm Hg, an SBP level of <130 mmHg was significantly associated with a lower risk of albuminuria in all subjects (OR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.40-0.89; P < 0.001) and in subjects with concomitant hypertension and diabetes (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.25-0.92; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In China, nearly one-fifth of patients in the Cardiology and Endocrinology departments have albuminuria although ACEI/ARB were widely used. More effective therapy is needed in this population.