24-h blood pressure and autonomic function is related to albumin excretion within the normoalbuminuric range in IDDM patients.

Significant changes in both blood pressure, autonomic function and kidney ultrastructure are observed in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients with microalbuminuria. Intervention strategies are evaluated at even earlier stages of disease. Identification of patients at risk of developing microalbuminuria must be based on a thorough knowledge of the relations between key pathophysiological parameters in patients with normoalbuminuria. The aim of the present study was to characterize the interactions of urinary albumin excretion (UAE), 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (AMBP), and sympathovagal balance in a large group of normoalbuminuric IDDM patients. In 117 normoalbuminuric (UAE < 20 micrograms/min) patients we performed 24-h AMBP (Spacelabs 90207), with assessment of diurnal blood pressure and heart rate (HR) variation, and short-term (three times 5 min) power spectral analysis of RR interval oscillations, as well as cardiovascular reflex tests (HR variation to deep breathing, postural HR and blood pressure response). Patients with UAE above the median (4.2 micrograms/min) had significantly higher 24-h systolic and diastolic AMBP (125 +/- 10.1/76 +/- 7.2 mmHg) compared to the low normolbuminuric group (120 +/- 8.4/74 +/- 5.1 mmHg), p < 0.01 and 0.02, respectively. Patients with UAE above the median had significantly reduced short-term RR interval variability including both the high frequency component (5.47 +/- 1.36 vs 6.10 +/- 1.43 ln ms2), and low frequency component (5.48 +/- 1.18 ln ms2 compared to 5.80 +/- 1.41 ln ms2), p < 0.02 and p = 0.04 (ANOVA). In addition, patients with high-normal UAE had reduced mean RR level (faster heart rates) 916 +/- 108 compared to 963 +/- 140 ms, p < 0.04. These differences were not explained by age, duration of diabetes, gender, level of physical activity, or cigarette smoking. HbA1c was significantly higher (8.6 +/- 1.2 vs 8.2 +/- 1.0%, p = 0.03) in the group with high normal UAE. Comparing normoalbuminuric IDDM patients with UAE above and below the median value, we found significantly higher AMBP in combination with significant differences in sympathovagal balance and significantly poorer glycaemic control in the group with high-normal albumin excretion. Our data demonstrate interactions between albumin excretion, blood pressure, autonomic function, and glycaemic status, already present in the normoalbuminuric range and may describe a syndrome indicative of later complications.