Elevated urinary albumin tied to sub-clinical cardiovascular disease in diabetes patients

Denmark: A recent study revealed that elevated albumin in the urine may be linked with sub-clinical coronary artery pathology, including coronary artery microcalcifications in individuals with type 2 diabetes without any symptoms of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

"Imaging tests in patients with type 2 diabetes without symptoms of CVD indicated that elevated albumin in the urine may be linked with sub-clinical coronary artery pathology, including coronary artery microcalcifications," the researchers reported. The research will be presented at ASN (American Society of Nephrology) Kidney Week 2023 to be held from November 1–November 5.

Advances in non-invasive imaging have allowed clinicians to assess both the structure and function of coronary arteries. Investigators using positron emission tomography and computed tomography imaging found that in individuals with type 2 diabetes without any symptoms of cardiovascular disease, elevated albumin in the urine may be linked with sub-clinical coronary artery pathology, including coronary artery microcalcifications.

Among 30 individuals with type 2 diabetes and normal urinary albumin levels and 60 with elevated levels (a condition called albuminuria that indicates kidney damage), participants with albuminuria had higher microcalcification activity, but not after adjusting for clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Microcalcification activity was positively associated with the extent of albuminuria, and a trend remained after adjustment. Average myocardial flow reserve (the ability to increase blood flow in the heart during work) was lower in participants with albuminuria, but not after adjustments. Coronary inflammation activity and coronary artery calcium score were similar between the groups.

“Enhancing the understanding of cardiovascular pathology may in the future help clinicians to identify subpopulations of patients at high risk and provide individualized prevention of cardiovascular complications,” said corresponding author Tine Hansen, PhD, of Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, in Denmark.

The world's premier nephrology meeting, ASN Kidney Week, brings together approximately 12,000 kidney professionals from across the world. The largest nephrology meeting provides participants with exciting and challenging opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn the latest scientific and medical advances, and listen to engaging and provocative discussions with leading experts in the field.

Study: “Increased Coronary Artery Pathology in Type 2 Diabetes Without Cardiovascular Disease but with Albuminuria”