Prevalence of Microalbuminuria and its Relationship with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Adult Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 14, No. 11, November 2024 | pp. 81–88

DOI: 10.46882/2024/IJMMS/140081

Original Research Article

Prevalence of Microalbuminuria and its Relationship with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Adult Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Chidi O. Okafor¹, Amina J. Hassan², Samuel K. Appiah¹*

¹Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.

²Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Abstract:

Metabolic syndrome accelerates subcirculatory endothelial dysfunction, increasing the risks of early atherosclerosis and progressive chronic kidney disease. This cross-sectional analytical study evaluated the prevalence of microalbuminuria and explored its operational relationship with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in asymptomatic adult patients with metabolic syndrome. We evaluated 160 adult patients diagnosed using the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) ATP III criteria. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratios (UACR) determined microalbuminuria status, while high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography measured bilateral CIMT profiles, with values ≥ 0.90 mm defined as subclinical atherosclerosis. The mean age of the cohort was 52.4 ± 6.8 years, and 56.3% were female. The overall prevalence of microalbuminuria (UACR between 30 and 300 mg/g) was 34.4% (55/160). Patients with microalbuminuria exhibited a significantly higher mean CIMT (0.98 ± 0.12 mm) compared to the normoalbuminuric cohort (0.72 ± 0.08 mm, p < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between UACR levels and structural CIMT values (r = 0.58, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression modeling revealed that an elevated CIMT ≥ 0.90 mm (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.8–6.8, p < 0.001) and poor blood pressure control (OR = 2.8, p < 0.01) were independent predictors of microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria is highly prevalent in metabolic syndrome and is strongly linked to early macrovascular structural changes. Routine screening for microalbuminuria and carotid ultrasonography are valuable tools for subclinical cardiovascular risk stratification in this demographic.

Keywords: Metabolic Syndrome, Microalbuminuria, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Endothelial Dysfunction, Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular Risk

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 12, 2024; Revised: September 20, 2024; Accepted: October 08, 2024; Published: November 14, 2024.

Citation: Okafor CO, Hassan AJ, Appiah SK. Prevalence of Microalbuminuria and its Relationship with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Adult Patients with Metabolic Syndrome. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2024, 14(11): 81–88. DOI: 10.46882/2024/IJMMS/140081

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