Background: Microalbuminuria represents the earliest clinical evidence of diabetic nephropathy, and is a marker of increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality.
Objectives: This analysis of Thai data from the Microalbuminuria Prevalence Study (MAPS) assessed the prevalence of macroalbuminuria and microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes.
Design: Cross-sectional clinic-based epidemiological study.
Material and Method: A total of 100 patients were enrolled, of which 97 patients constituted the per-protocol population (patients with bacteriuria and haematuria were excluded). Patients attended one study visit with no follow-up.
Results: Overall, the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease was high, with macroalbuminuria contributing 13.4% [9.9-16.9; 95% confidence interval (CI)] and microalbuminuria contributing 43.3% [38.3-48.3; 95%CI].
Conclusion: Annual screening for microalbuminuria is recommended for all patients with type 2 diabetes, as early treatment is critical for reducing CV risks. Clinical studies have shown that renin-angiotensin system inhibitors can slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Keywords: Diabetic nephropathy, Hypertension, Albuminuria, Renin-angiotensin system, Thailand