MICROLBUMINURIA AS A MARKER FOR ATHEROSCLEROTIC DISEASE

Objective: The objective of this study is to see whether microalbuminuria is an independent associated risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in non-diabetic patients Study Design: Prospective observational case-control study Place and Duration of Study: Medicine Department of Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from June 2023-May 2024 Methodology: Patients were divided into Group A (n=40) including patients diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and Group B (n=40) including patients with no clinical and diagnostic results with confirmation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Primary variables studied were difference in mean values of microalbuminuria between groups and association of microalbuminuria with ischemic heart disease. Results: Mean total cholesterol levels were 179/60±3.15 mg/dl versus 154.07±3.39 mg/dl (p<0.001), mean total triglycerides were 107.57±2.53 mg/dl versus 103.40±2.04 mg/dl (p<0.001), mean LDL cholesterol was 119.27±7.06 mg/dl versus 97.00±2.71 mg/dl (p<0.001), mean VLDL cholesterol was 34.55±4.02 mg/dl versus 22.80±2.93 mg/dl (p<0.001), mean urine microalbumin was 22.15±11.33 mg/g per 24 hours versus 9.37±8.76 mg/g per 24 hours (p<0.001). A strong independent relation was found between microalbuminuria and the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (OR=3.85, CI=95%) (P=0.010). Conclusion: We conclude that microalbuminuria as an independent risk factor if atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the non-diabetic population