Risk Factors of Microalbuminuria among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on 2019–2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with high economic and social burdens. This study aimed to determine the risk factors of microalbuminuria among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Microalbuminuria is predictive of early-stage renal complications and subsequent progression to renal dysfunction. We collected data on type 2 diabetes patients who participated in the 2019–2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The risk factors for microalbuminuria among patients with type 2 diabetes were analyzed using logistic regression. As a result, the odds ratios were 1.036 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.019–1.053, p < 0.001) for systolic blood pressure, 0.966 (95% CI = 0.941–0.989, p = 0.007) for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, 1.008 (95% CI = 1.002–1.014, p = 0.015) for fasting blood sugar level, and 0.855 (95% CI = 0.729–0.998, p = 0.043) for hemoglobin level. A significant strength of this study is the identification of low hemoglobin level (i.e., anemia) as a risk factor for microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. This finding implies that the early detection and management of microalbuminuria can prevent the development of diabetic nephropathy.