Prevalence of microalbuminuria in the general population of Seychelles and strong association with diabetes and hypertension independent of renal markers

Objective Few studies have examined microalbuminuria (MAU) in non-western populations. We assessed the prevalence of MAU in the general population of a middle-income country in the African region and relationships between MAU and selected cardiovascular risk factors. Methods An examination survey was conducted in a sample representative of the entire population aged 25 - 64 years in the Seychelles. MAU adjusted for urine creatinine concentration was measured on the second morning urine using a semiquantitative point-of-care analyzer. Results A total of 1255 persons attended the survey (participation rate of 80.2%). The age-adjusted prevalence of MAU was 11.4%. At age 25 - 64 years, the prevalence of MAU was 5% in persons without diabetes and hypertension, 20% in persons with either condition and 41% in persons with both conditions. The overall prevalence of stages 3 - 4 chronic kidney disease was low at 3.2%. In multivariate analysis, MAU was associated with age [odds ratio (OR) 1.24 for a 10- year increase; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02 - 1.52], hypertension stage I (2.0; 1.1 - 3.8) and stage II (4.5; 2.3 - 8.6), obesity (1.7; 1.0 - 2.8) and diabetes (3.0; 1.9 - 4.9). These associations were virtually unchanged upon further adjustment for markers of renal function such as serum creatinine, serum cystatin C and calculated renal function. Conclusion The prevalence of MAU was high in this population, and MAU was strongly associated with several cardiovascular risk factors independently of renal function markers. These findings suggest that MAU could be a useful marker of cardiovascular risk in this population and help identify persons in need of a specific cardiovascular risk management.