Albumin excretion with urine in a population of healthy individuals

: Increased urine albumin excretion is the significant prognostic factor for diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease. Divergences of the evaluation of albuminuria in different ethnic groups were found. The aim of our study was to evaluate albumin excretion in large group of healthy individuals. 301 healthy subjects (110 female and 191 male), age 20-60 years (mean 32.9 +/- 9.7), were admitted. A questionnaire including data concerning familial history, smoking habits was fulfilled. Subsequently nighttime urine sample was collected in all examined subjects and albumin to creatinine ratio (A/K) was counted. A/K value varied between 0.03-14.1 mg/mmol of creatinine median 1.18. Significantly higher albuminuria in female v male group was found (respectively 1.39; 0.14-14.1 and 1.03; 0.03-11.4 p < 0.05). Reference value for albuminuria was estimated at 3.35 mg/mmol in whole group, and respectively 4 mg/mmol in female and 2.6 mg/mmol in male. There were not differences in A/K ratio in relation to familial history however smoking men excreted more albumin v non smoking (respectively 1.27, 0.03-11.4 and 0.95, 0.14-14.1 mg/mmol p < 0.005). Performed analysis allowed to calculate the value for albuminuria in healthy subjects. Analysis also showed significant influence of gender and smoking habits and no influence of familial history for albumin excretion.