Is uric acid elevation a random finding or a causative agent of diabetic nephropathy?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and microalbuminuria as a marker of renal injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into two groups according to the urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio: diabetic nephropathy and non-nephropathy group. UA and microalbuminuria were compared between the study groups. RESULTS: Serum UA levels of diabetic nephropathy patients were significantly higher than those in the non-nephropathy group (UA in patients with diabetic nephropathy groups: 6.3 (1.82) mg/dl, UA in patients of the non-nephropathic group: 4.85(1.92) mg/dl)(p<0.001). There was a correlation between microalbuminuria and UA (r=0.238). This correlation was statistically significant (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: UA levels may be an important predictor of nephropathy in diabetic patients.