Microalbuminuria as a prognostic marker of cardiovascular diseases

: Microalbuminuria and its associations with vascular disease has been reported in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. The significance of microalbuminuria in cardiovascular complications is unclear. It has been suggested that microalbuminuria reflects a more generalized pathological process of the vascular system, affecting the glomeruli, retinal vessels and the intimal larger vessels, simultaneously. Microalbuminuria is more prevalent in diabetic, hypertensive and elderly people with risk of vascular complications. Testing for microalbuminuria is recommended for all identifying subgroups with risk vascular complications and premature death. Such program is likely to be cost-effective because of savings in the treatment costs and complications (e.g. renal dialysis and transplantation).