[Flare measurement and albuminuria in type I diabetics].

BACKGROUND

Chronic hyperglycaemia causes microangiopathy with manifestations in different organ systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether anterior chamber protein concentrations and albuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 have any correlation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

23 patients with type 1 diabetes were examined in both eyes by the use of the laser flare-cell meter (LFCM). After clinical exclusion of urinary tract infection urine-samples were taken on the examination-day. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 13 patients with albuminuria (8x microalbuminuria, 5x macroalbuminuria), group 2 comprised 10 controls with normal urine albumin concentrations.

RESULTS

Both groups were identical according to age and gender. The flare values in the group with albuminuria were significantly elevated (10.7 +/- 7.1 counts/msec) in comparison to those of the control group (3.7 +/- 1.9 counts/msec)(p = 0.042). The duration of the diabetes was as well significantly different in both groups (7.9 +/- 6.9 yrs. vs. 23.9 +/- 13.4 yrs.)(p = 0.02). A correlation was found between albuminuria and flare values (r = 0.67; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate a correlation between protein concentration in aqueous and albuminuria. In future flare measurements could possibly offer a non-invasive diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.