Association of microalbuminuria and high–normal 24-hour urinary albumin excretion with metabolic syndrome and its components in the general Chinese population: cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveMicroalbuminuria (MAU) has been described as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association between MetS components with MAU and 24-hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) has not been clearly explained in the general Chinese population. We aimed to analyse the associations between MAU and high–normal 24-hour UAE with MetS and its components.DesignCross-sectional observational study.SettingFour selected counties/districts in China’s Shandong and Jiangsu Provinces.ParticipantsA total of 2261 participants aged 18–69 years were included in this study. Participants with missing physical examination data or incomplete urine collection were not included in the analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of MAU was 9%, and the mean 24-hour UAE was 18 mg/d. The prevalence of MAU was significantly higher for the MetS, high blood pressure (BP), high triglyceride (TG) levels, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hyperglycaemia groups but not for the central obesity group. Both MAU and mean 24-hour UAE were significantly increased in association with a number of MetS components. The adjusted prevalence OR (POR) for MetS with MAU was 2.95 (95% CI 2.15 to 4.04) compared with those without MAU. MAU was significantly associated with three components of MetS: high BP (POR=1.86, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.64), high TG levels (POR=1.80, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.46) and hyperglycaemia (POR=1.84, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.53). No significant association between MAU and central obesity or low HDL-C was found. The presence of MetS gradually increased according to the normal-range 24-hour UAE quartiles: POR=1.00, POR=1.22, POR=1.14 and POR=2.02, respectively. Hyperglycaemia also increased significantly according to the normal-range 24-hour UAE quartiles.ConclusionsMAU and elevated 24-hour UAE within the normal range were closely associated with MetS in the Chinese population, which may provide a basis for the development of early interventions to decrease the effects of MetS.