[Association between serum nitric oxide level and microalbuminuria: a 1:2 matched case-control study].

Objective: To investigate the association between serum nitric oxide and microalbuminuria.

Methods: Based on a community survey in Jinchang district Suzhou city, a 1:2 matched case-control study was performed. A total of 208 cases with microalbuminuria were recruited. The controls were selected from the same community, with the same level of income. After matched with age, gender, waist circumference and fast plasma glucose, a total of 416 controls were selected. Values of serum nitric oxide were tested for all eligible participants. The association between serum nitric oxide level and microalbuminuria were analyzed by using the multivariate conditional logistic regression models.

Results: The mean level of serum nitric oxide was slightly lower for individuals with microalbuminuria (median, interquartile range: 27.75, 14.48 - 42.15 µmol/L) than those without (28.25, 17.40 - 43.45 µmol/L). However, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.316).

Results: from the multivariable conditional logistic regression model showed that serum nitric oxide level was not associated with microalbuminuria, after adjustment for all the confounders. Compared with the highest level of serum nitric oxide, the odds ratios of microalbuminuria for individuals in the 1(st), 2(nd)and 3(rd) quartiles were not significantly different, after adjustment for confounders. In pairs with hypertension, the odds of microalbuminuria were 85% higher for individuals with the lowest level of serum nitric oxide than those with the highest level (OR = 1.85, 95%CI: 0.96 - 3.57). Additionally, in pairs without hypertension, the odds of microalbuminuria was just 40% higher for individuals with the lowest level of serum nitric oxide than those with the highest level (OR = 1.40, 95%CI: 0.58 - 3.40).

Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between serum nitric oxide and microalbuminuria in the general population in our study.