Change in albuminuria as a surrogate endpoint for cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with diabetes.

For the purpose of predicting clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, change in albuminuria is a good candidate to be a surrogate marker for future cardiovascular events and progression of kidney disease. Spot urine albumin/creatinine ratio is convenient and recognized as a viable alternative to 24-h albumin, with some limitations. Although there is sufficient evidence to validate its use in clinical trials as a surrogate endpoint for renal outcomes, this is not yet the case for cardiovascular outcomes. While change in albuminuria as a primary or secondary endpoint is trial-specific, its use should be encouraged, nonetheless.