Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic nephropathy (DN), and metabolic syndrome (MS) have a high risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality. Thus, identifying and treating risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in DM may offer the best approach for preventing and delaying adverse renal and cardiovascular outcomes.

Aim: To determine the relationships between MS, DN, and renal function in type 2 DM.

Methods: In our clinic-based kohort study were enrolled 216 type 2 diabetic patients, from which 59% males and 41% females, with a mean age 54±10 years. We analysed MS, detected DN, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during a 4 years period.

Results: Prevalence of both microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria were higher in subjects with MS, increasing proportionally with the number of MS components. EGFR was lower in subjects with MS than in those without it (84±12 ml/min per 1.73 m² vs 90±21 ml/min per 1.73 m²; P<0.001). The lowest eGFR values were found in those with four or more components of MS. Prevalence of low eGFR increased with the stage of DN and was affected by MS only in normoalbuminuric patients. The most important result was that MS was independently associated with DN, but not with low eGFR, after adjustment for all of the individual components of the MS.

Conclusions: In this study we have noted an independent association between MS and DN. This is a strong argument for treating the MS by an intensive therapy, in order to prevent the progression of DN to the renal failure.