Microalbuminuria in Nondiabetic Adults

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Abstract
IN HEALTHY individuals, urinary protein excretion ranges below 150 mg/d, with albumin excretion lower than 30 mg/d. Elevation in urinary albumin excretion generally reflects renal glomerular damage. It is designated microalbuminuria if in the range that can be missed with routine laboratory techniques (30-299 mg/d or 20-199 µg/min), and macroalbuminuria if more severe. In diabetic individuals, onset of microalbuminuria—judged to be an important sign of early nephropathy1 —is related to major cardiovascular risk factors (ie, blood pressure, plasma cholesterol levels, cigarette smoking)2-4 and is predictive of risk for end-stage renal failure,5-9 a major and mounting public health problem. There is growing evidence that, in other diseases, the process leading to end-stage renal failure is influenced by major cardiovascular risk factors.10-14 In this light, a relation between cardiovascular risk factors and microalbuminuria in nondiabetic persons could support the idea (of potential importance for medical care and public health if validated) of a continuing relationship of these factors to development and progression of renal damage, from early to ultimate stages.