microalbuminuria

Microalbuminuria is an early stage of diabetic nephropathy, a kidney disease complication of diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by elevated blood pressure and the excretion of small amounts of albumin in the urine, typically appearing 5 to 15 years after a diabetes diagnosis. While proteinuria is the general presence of protein in urine, microalbuminuria specifically refers to small, but abnormal, amounts of albumin. This stage indicates an increased risk for further kidney damage and can progress to overt albuminuria and eventually kidney failure if not managed. Treatment focuses on controlling blood glucose and blood pressure.12