Prevalence and Correlates of Microalbuminuria among Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background Regular screening for microalbuminuria among type 2 diabetes patients is less common in most low-income countries while it is an early marker of diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular complications. Objective This study aims to assess the need for regular screening for microalbuminuria among type 2 diabetes patients. Methodology with cross-sectional approach, 124 diabetic patients were recruited at Muhimbili National Hospital, in Tanzania; their age, gender, body mass index, fasting blood sugar levels (by Accu Chek Active Glucometer), random urine albumin levels (by Microalbumin 2-1 Combo Test Strips), and the duration of diabetes were recorded. Results The study indicated that 62.1% of the participants were microalbuminuric while 2.4% were macroalbuminuric. The risk of microalbuminuria was 4.55 higher in patients aged 60-69 years (95% CI: 1.32-16.51), and 17.4 times higher in patients aged 70 and above (95% CI: 1.49-202.86) compared to individuals aged below 50 years. Patients with high blood sugar level had a risk of 8.09 times higher compared to those with normal blood sugar (CI: 2.53-25.86). Also, the odds were 7.89 higher in patients who lived with diabetes for 10-14 years compared to those lived with the disease less than 5 years (95% CI:1.33-45.59). Conclusion The odds of microalbuminuria increased significantly as the patient gets older, with high blood sugar, and the duration of diabetes. Health policies need to establish programs that enhance care at the diabetic clinic through regular screening for microalbuminuria to reduce the risk of developing kidney and cardiovascular complications.