Abstract

Objective: To determine and compare the levels of urinary periostin, urinary alpha-1-microglobulin and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus whose diabetic duration is less than five years.
Methodology: A total of 84 type 2 diabetic individuals were included in this cross-sectional comparative study. The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 comprised of 28 patients with 2 to 3 years duration of diabetes. Group 2 comprised of 28 patients with 3 to 4 years duration of diabetes. Group 3 comprised of 28 patients with 4 to 5 years duration of diabetes. Spot urine specimens were collected and examined for urinary creatinine, microalbumin, alpha-1-microglobulin and periostin. Urinary albumin (mg/dl) was divided by creatinine (g/dl) to calculate albumin to creatinine ratio.
Results: Out of 84 patients, 48 were males, and 36 females. Mean of urinary albumin to creatinine ratio was 9.21±1.8 in group 1, 13.7±3.2 in group 2 and 22.95±5.30 in group 3. Mean of urinary alpha-1-microglobulin was 20.89±3.1 in group 1, 30.9±3.4 in group 2 and 43.3±4.4 in group 3. Mean of urinary periostin was 0.7±0.13 in group 1, 1.34±0.14 in group 2 and 1.92±0.13 in group 3. One-way ANOVA comparison showed that Group 3 had highest levels of these urinary parameters. These results showed strong association of all these three urinary parameters with disease duration.
Conclusion: This study concludes that urinary alpha-1-microglobulin and urinary periostin are good markers for early diagnosis and progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Key words: Diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, periostin, alpha-1-microglobulin, albumin to creatinine ratio.