Risk markers of future microalbuminuria and hypertension based on clinical and morphological parameters in young type 1 diabetes patients.

Perrin NESS, Torbjornsdotter T, Jaremko GA, Berg UB. Risk markers of future microalbuminuria and hypertension based on clinical and morphological parameters in young type 1 diabetes patients. Background: Nephropathy is a severe complication of type 1 diabetes and develops in 30% of patients. Currently, it is not possible to identify young patients at risk prior to the development of microalbuminuria (MA) and/or hypertension (HT). Objective: To study predictors of MA and/or HT in young normoalbuminuric (NA) patients with type 1 diabetes. Subjects and methods: Forty-six NA and normotensive (NT) type 1 diabetes patients, regularly followed since onset with checks on metabolic control, kidney function, and MA, were investigated with kidney biopsies and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPMs) after 10.6 yr of diabetes. The patients were followed another six and a half years with regard to the development of MA and HT. Results: Fifteen patients developed MA and/or HT during follow-up. The strongest risk markers were poor metabolic control after puberty, high day-time systolic blood pressure (BP), and increased BMT at 10 yr, which explained 62% of the outcome for MA and/or HT at 17 yr duration with 77% sensitivity and 65% specificity. The threshold values were long-term postpubertal HbA1c > 8.2%, day-time systolic BP > 130 mmHg, and BMT > 490 nm/1.73 m2. Conclusions: Normoalbuminuric and NT patients at risk of developing MA and HT could be identified and might benefit from an early start of antihypertensive therapy and improvement of metabolic control.