Association between uric acid level and incidence of macroalbuminuria in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A 4.5-year cohort study
Abstract Background: Using animal models and molecular biology researches, hyperuricemia has been shown to instruct renal arteriolopathy, arterial hypertension, and microvascular injury involving the renin-angiotensin system and resulting in renal function impairment. Nevertheless, the association between uric acid levels and the development of macroalbuminuria has been under-investigated in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes and regular outpatient visits were recruited from a community hospital in Taiwan since January 2014. Demographics, lifestyle features, and medical history were gathered by well-trained interviewers. All participants underwent comprehensive physical examinations, including a biochemical assay of venous blood specimens and urine samples after an 8-hour overnight fast. Participants were followed until June 2018. The primary outcome was the macroalbuminuria incidence. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis were employed to explore the relation between uric acid and incident macroalbuminuria. Uric acid cutoffs for incident macroalbuminuria were determined with the receiver operator characteristic curve. Results: We included 247 qualified subjects (mean age: 64.78 years old [standard deviation=11.29 years]; 138 [55.87%] men). During a 4.5-year follow-up duration, 20 subjects with incident macroalbuminuria were recognized. Serum uric acid was significantly associated with an increased risk of incident macroalbuminuria (adjusted hazard ratio=2.39; 95% confidence interval: 1.53-3.75; p<0.001) with potential confounders adjustment. The uric acid cutoff point was 6.9 mg/dL (area under the curve 0.708, sensitivity 60.0%, specificity 84.58%) for incident macroalbuminuria. Conclusions: Serum uric acid was associated with incident macroalbuminuria among people with type 2 diabetes.