MICROALBUMINURIA Y RETINOPATÍA DIABÉTICA MICROALBUMINURIA AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Objective: To study the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its association with more severe diabetic retinopathy in a group of insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Materials and methods: During the period of January 1998 to December 2005 we examined 360 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with at least five years of evolution. We evaluated the presence of microalbuminuria by immunoanalysis. Patients were evaluated by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and classified as non-retinopathy, non-proliferative, severe non-proliferative/proliferative, or macular edema. Results: In this study, 24.1% of patients had microalbuminuria. Most of the patients with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria were male and had a longer history of diabetes. Microalbuminuria was associated with more severe diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions: All patients with insulin-dependent diabetes of at least five years’ evolution should undergo an evaluation of renal function including tests for microalbuminuria. In the presence of microalbuminuria an ophthalmologic follow-up may be particularly important (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2007; 82: 85-88).