A Study of Microalbuminuria and its Relation to Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Among Diabetic Patients Attending Suez Canal University Endocrinology Clinic

Background and aim: Diabetic nephropathy is a significant consequence of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with microalbuminuria serving as an early indicator of kidney damage. Poor glycemic control increases the risk of microvascular complications, including renal impairment. This study aimed to compare type II diabetic patients with and without microalbuminuria in terms of HbA1c levels to assess the impact of glycemic control on diabetic renal injury and evaluate microalbuminuria as an early predictor of diabetic nephropathy. Patients and methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 58 type II diabetic patients, divided into two groups: those with and without microalbuminuria. Patients were matched for baseline characteristics, and glycemic control was assessed using HbA1c. Renal function was evaluated through serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The correlation between albumin-creatinine ratio and HbA1c was also analyzed. Results: Patients with microalbuminuria had significantly higher HbA1c levels (9.4% vs. 8.17%) and worse renal function, with increased serum creatinine (1.2 mg/dl vs. 0.7 mg/dl; p = 0.001) and lower eGFR (83.1 vs. 105.2; p = 0.001). A strong correlation was found between albumin-creatinine ratio and HbA1c. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that an HbA1c level greater than 8.2% had 83% sensitivity and 76% specificity in predicting microalbuminuria and renal impairment. Conclusion: Poor glycemic control is strongly associated with microalbuminuria, reinforcing its role as an early predictor of diabetic nephropathy. Monitoring HbA1c and detecting microalbuminuria early can aid in timely interventions to prevent further kidney damage in diabetic patients