The association between serum gamma glutamyltransferase levels and microalbuminuria in Type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Background and Objectives Diabetic nephropathy is the major cause of chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease in developing countries. Almost one third of the diabetic patients develop diabetic nephropathy in their life time. So it is pertinent to detect diabetic nephropathy at an early (microalbuminuric) stage. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of serum GGT with microalbuminuria in type-2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology The study comprised of 40 type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with normoalbuminuria and 40 type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with microalbuminuria categorised as Group I and Group II respectively. Results In Pearson’s correlation analysis of serum GGT with urine albumin levels, the correlation was not statistically significant in Group I subjects whereas in Group II, a statistically significant correlation was found. A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean values of fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, lipid profile, GGT, HbA1c between Group I and Group II. Conclusion Interpretation of GGT levels may be a valuable parameter in the evaluation of microalbuminuria in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Keywords

• Microalbuminuria, Diabetic nephropathy, Gamma glutamyltransferase, Oxidative stress