Abstract
Objective. Albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients increases the risk of diabetic nephropathy, the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Because albuminuria is modifiable, identifying relevant risk factors could facilitate prevention and/or management. This cross-sectional study investigated whether body constitution (BC) independently predicts albuminuria. Method. Patients with T2DM (n = 846) received urinalysis, a blood test, and diabetic retinopathy examination. Albuminuria was defined by an elevated urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (≥30 μg/mg). BC type (Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Phlegm stasis) was assessed using a body constitution questionnaire (BCQ). Traditional risk factors for albuminuria were also recorded. Odds ratios (ORs) of albuminuria for BC were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Results. Albuminuria was more prevalent in patients with Yang deficiency or Phlegm stasis (both P < 0.01). After adjustment, patients with both Yang deficiency and Phlegm stasis exhibited a significantly higher risk of albuminuria (OR = 3.037; 95% confidence interval = 1.572–5.867, and P < 0.001). Conclusion. BC is strongly associated with albuminuria in T2DM patients. Using a BCQ to assess BC is noninvasive, convenient, and inexpensive and can provide information for health care professionals to identify T2DM patients who are at a high risk of albuminuria.
Highlights
IntroductionA chronic metabolic disease, has increased rapidly and is estimated to reach over 552 million by 2030 [1]
Global prevalence of diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease, has increased rapidly and is estimated to reach over 552 million by 2030 [1]
After adjustment for other risk factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, blood pressure, lipid profile, diabetes history, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and diabetic retinopathy (DR), Yang deficiency and Phlegm stasis remained strongly associated with albuminuria (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.36–3.75, 1.92, and 1.19–3.08, resp.)
Summary
A chronic metabolic disease, has increased rapidly and is estimated to reach over 552 million by 2030 [1]. A severe vascular complication of diabetes, is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in many countries [2, 3]. According to the annual report of the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), Taiwan had the world’s highest incidence and prevalence of ESRD during 2002–2005 and 2009, respectively [4, 7]. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine demonstrated that the increasing prevalence of diabetes was the main cause of the rising prevalence and incidence of ESRD in Taiwan [8]. Albuminuria is a modifiable and crucial risk factor for diabetic nephropathy [9, 10]. Reducing the risk of albuminuria is a key treatment goal for renal protection in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy
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