Albuminuria in Afro-Caribbeans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: is the sickle cell trait a risk factor?

Aims: To determine the prevalence of albuminuria [raised albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR)] in an out-patient population of Afro-Caribbeans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to determine if the possession of the sickle cell trait (SCT) is a risk factor.

Patients And Methods: The ACR in a morning urine sample was determined in each of 181 Afro-Caribbeans with Type 2 DM attending the out-patient clinic at King's Diabetes Centre of King's College Hospital, London. The subjects were genotyped for the SCT, Haemoglobin AS (HbAS).

Results: Although a raised ACR was demonstrated more frequently in those with the SCT than in those without, with an odds ratio of 1.19, this was not statistically significant (P = 0.68).

Conclusions: In this study the possession of the SCT does not appear to play a significant role in the development of albuminuria. However, a larger study is needed to clarify its role as a risk factor for development of albuminuria in Afro-Caribbeans with Type 2 DM.