"Albuminuria in the Elderly More than a Marker of Renal or Cardiovascular Disease"

Albuminuria the presence of more than 30 mg of alumin per one gram of creatinine in the urine is highly prevalent in older adults. Based on data from the NHANES III study, more than 20% of adults over the age of 70 years have albuminuria, while among similarly aged adults with diabetes the prevalence reaches 40% [1,2]. To date, most studies have examined albuminuria as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We too have found albuminuria to be associated with a 70-80% increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease [3] and a doubling of mortality risk (mostly cardiovascular in nature) [4] as compared to older people without microalbuminuria.