Central obesity is an independent risk factor for microalbuminuria in both the general Korean women and nondiabetic nonhypertensive subpopulation: Association of microalbuminuria and metabolic syndrome from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We investigated the major contributing component of metabolic syndrome (MetS) that results in microalbuminuria (MAU) in the general population as well as in nondiabetic nonhypertensive subjects.

METHODS: The study population consisted of a total of 9961 subjects (4429 men and 5532 women) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 2011 and 2012. MAU was defined as a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of >3.39mg/mmol. After analyzing the contribution of each five MetS components for the presence of MAU with adjustment for other risk factors in the total population, we further examined the contribution of these components to MAU in the nondiabetic nonhypertensive subpopulation.

RESULTS: The most significantly associated factors for MAU in both genders were high blood pressure, followed by impaired fasting glucose, and high triglycerides. In addition, central obesity contributed significantly to MAU only in women. For the nondiabetic nonhypertensive subpopulation, high blood pressure in both genders and central obesity in women were important risk factors for MAU. We suggest two possible hypotheses for the gender different phenomenon.

CONCLUSIONS: Central obesity was an independent risk factor for MAU in the general Korean women as well as in the nondiabetic nonhypertensive women.