The Rate of Checking Urine Microalbumin and Aspirin Primary Prevention in Type 2 DM
Kittisak Sawanyawisuth MD*, Panita Limpawattana MD*, Ajanee Mahankkanukrauh MD*, Chaiyasith Wongvipaporn MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Faculty of medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Background : The American Diabetic Association recommends type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) to take aspirin
therapy as a primary preventive way. It should be implemented in cases that are aged over 40 with at least one
additional risk such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia. Urine microalbumin now also ranks as a major
risk factor for atherosclerosis.
Objectives : The authors aimed to evaluate the rate of urine microalbumin determination and the use of such
preventative aspirin therapy at Srinagarind Hospital.
Materials and Methods : The authors randomly selected the charts of type 2 diabetics treated for at least one
year at the hospital’s outpatient department by a block of four techniques. The inclusion criteria were aged
more than 40 years old and never had any atherosclerotic events. Cases were excluded if they had a history of
aspirin allergy or active upper gastrointestinal bleeding. By the end of July, 2004, 109 patients were enrolled
(44 males).
Results : The mean age and duration of diagnosed diabetes mellitus was 60.8 and 7.4 years, respectively.
Forty-four cases (40.4%) were checked for urine microalbumin. Eight cases had microalbuminuria and four
cases had macroalbuminuria. Every case was treated with aspirin because they had at least one additional
atherosclerotic risk factor, mostly more than two. But aspirin therapy was used in only 35 cases (32.1%) with
the appropriate dose in only six cases (17.1%).
Conclusion : Physicians should consider more about checking urine microalbumin and aspirin as primary
prevention in type 2 DM.
Keywords : Microalbuminuria, Aspirin, Primary prevention, Atherosclerosis, DM type 2
