Aim: Today, the second-most common cause of preventable death after smoking is obesity. Microalbuminuria is defined as an albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) of more than 30 mg per gram of creatinine. Obesity increases microalbuminuria by affecting the kidneys.

Methods: This study was carried out by retrospectively examining the files of obese [Body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2)] individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 with spot microalbuminuria test in urine who admitted to the obesity outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital between January 2013 and June 2015. Four hundred ninety subjects were included in the study. The physical parameters, blood and urine tests of the subjects included in the study at the time of first admission to the obesity clinic were examined.

Results: Microalbuminuria was positive in 5.7 % of the participants. The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and uric acid levels for subjects in the microalbuminuria-positive group were higher than in the levels of subjects in the microalbuminuria-negative group [5.6 (5.8-5.5) vs 5.5 (5.7-5.2); P=0.012 and 5.2 (6-4.5) vs 4.7 (5.5-4.2); P=0.038, respectively]. In microalbuminuria-negative group, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH D3) levels were higher than in the microalbuminuria-positive group [12 (18-7.1) vs 8.4 (12.9-6.9); P=0.032]. Urine albumin to creatinine ratio was positively associated with BMI, fasting insulin (FI), Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides (TG) and c-reactive protein (CRP).

Conclusion: Obesity increases microalbuminuria by affecting the kidneys. Microalbuminuria is associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and low 25-OH D3. Microalbuminuria must be checked in obese individuals. The prevalence of obesity should be reduced for a healthier life.

Keywords: Microalbuminuria, Urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), Body mass index (BMI), Obesity