NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Microalbuminuria, which is known to be associated with arterial thromboembolism, is also independently linked to an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association for May 6.

Research has suggested that microalbuminuria reflects a general disturbance in endothelial function. As such, it might be expected that both the arterial and venous side of the circulatory system would be prone to thromboembolism, note Dr. Bakhtawar K. Mahmoodi, from University Medical Centre Groningen, the Netherlands, and colleagues.

In their study of 8574 subjects living in Groningen, 129 experienced VTE during 8.6 years of follow-up.

The annual incidence of VTE was 0.40% in those with microalbuminuria (urinary albumin level 30 to 300 mg/24-hour urine) compared with rates of 0.12% and 0.20% for those with urinary albumin level <15 and 15-29 mg/24-hour, respectively (p for trend 300 mg/24-hour urine).

After accounting for age, cancer, oral contraceptive use, and known atherosclerosis risk factors, the authors found that urinary albumin levels of 15-29, 30-300, and >300 mg/24-hour urine increased the risk of VTE by 1.40-, 2.20-, and 2.82-fold, respectively, relative to a level <15 mg/24-hour urine. When compared with normal albuminuria (<30 mg/24-hour urine), microalbuminuria doubled the risk of VTE (p < 0.001). “The fact that microalbuminuria has a high prevalence in the general population (7.2%) suggests that on the population level, microalbuminuria may be an important risk factor for VTE,” the authors conclude. In fact, they add, “The relative risk of VTE associated with microalbuminuria is comparable to previously reported risk of MI or stroke in individuals with microalbuminuria.” Reference:
JAMA 2009;301:1790-1797.