LAUSR

BACKGROUND There is evidence that microalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion) is an early sign of vascular damage and an established risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the magnitude of microalbuminuria and its association with serum lipids and inflammatory markers among a rural black population residing in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System site, South Africa. METHODS Data were collected from 602 presumably healthy participants (225 men and 377 women) aged ≥ 18 years. Biochemical data collection included serum lipids, glucose, insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), urine albumin and creatinine. Anthropometry and blood pressure were also measured. Microalbuminuria was diagnosed with an albumin-creatinine ratio of ≥ 2.5 mg/mmol in men and ≥ 3.5 mg/mmol in women. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 48.63 ± 20.89 years. High percentages of microalbuminaria (35.7%), high levels of interleukin 6 (17.8%), hs-CRP (32.9%), triglycerides (TG) (26.1%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (52.2%) and total cholesterol (32.0%), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (29.1%) were observed in the population. Increased glucose levels (32.8%), insulin resistance (27.6%), hypertension (45.8%), overweight (26.8%) and obesity (25.4%) were also prevalent. Microalbuminuria was associated with high hs-CRP and TG levels in the men (adjusted odds ratios = 9.434, 95% confidence interval: 1.753 - 50.778, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS High prevalence of microalbuminuria, hypertension, insulin resistance, overweight and obesity, as well as abnormal levels of serum lipids and inflammatory markers were observed in the population. Microalbuminuria was associated with high hs-CRP and TG levels among men.