Single-marker and multi-marker approaches to appraise the relationships between biomarkers and microalbuminuria in Chinese middle-aged and elderly from communities: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Analyzing the relationships between biomarkers representing distinct pathophysiologic pathways and microalbuminuria (MA) can strengthen the identifying ability for renal damage and illuminate previously unrecognized pathways for the pathogenesis of renal damage. The current analysis was to clarify the associations between biomarkers, including N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine and uric acid (UA), and MA in Chinese middle-aged and elderly from communities. Methods All 839 residents had complete set of these biomarkers and full assessment of MA. Results Prevalence of participants with MA was 13.5% (113 participants). Levels of age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), homocysteine and NT-proBNP and proportion of cigarette smoking in participants with MA significantly exceeded those in participants without MA (p 0.05 for all) were statistically significant in relation to MA. Additionally, no matter which biomarker was directed at, levels of age, SBP and FBG and proportion of cigarette smoking had significant associations with MA. Homocysteine and NT-proBNP levels (p 0.05 for all) had significant abilities to identify MA. Conclusion Both single-marker and multi-marker analyses confirmed that homocysteine and NT-proBNP were associated with MA in Chinese middle-aged and elderly from communities after adjustment for multiple confounders.

Keywords

• Biomarkers
• Communities
• Microalbuminuria
• Middle-aged and elderly