Association of microalbuminuria with early detection of renal insufficiency in diabetic patients attending the Jipijapa Health Center

Abstract

Microalbuminuria is considered an early marker of diabetic nephropathy, allowing for the early detection of kidney failure, especially in individuals with risk factors. It also represented the first clinical sign of kidney disease in patients with diabetes. The objectives were: To investigate the relationship between microalbuminuria and the diagnosis of kidney failure in diabetic patients at the Jipijapa Health Center; To identify diabetic patients with kidney failure treated at the Jipijapa Health Center by age and sex; To determine the prevalence of kidney failure using the microalbuminuria test in diabetics, and to correlate microalbuminuria levels with the diagnosis of kidney failure. The study was analytical, cross-sectional, non-experimental, quantitative, and retrospective, with minimal risk. The sample size was calculated by applying the finite population sampling formula, using a sample of 292 individuals, which yielded a representative sample of 166 diabetic patients. Of this sample, 58 were male and 108 female, the latter being the most affected by kidney failure. Twenty-five percent of patients with microalbuminuria levels above 30 mg/dL presented kidney damage, highlighting the need for strategies to control blood glucose and blood pressure. A direct relationship was observed between elevated microalbuminuria levels and increased creatinine, reinforcing its early diagnostic value. In conclusion, microalbuminuria was found to be an early indicator of kidney failure in diabetic patients, especially in older patients and those with a prolonged course of the disease. Its early detection and treatment were essential to prevent the progression of nephropathy.