Effects of contrast medium exposure on urine albumin/creatinine ratio

Abstract

Aim: Albuminuria is a direct consequence of renal glomerular injury and increases with glomerular dysfunction. Spot urine albumin/creatinine (Alb/Cr) ratio is a reasonable surrogate for 24-hour urine albumin excretion rate and certainly not without limitations. It is known that renal function can be affected following contrast agent administration. The aim of our study is to assess the changes in Alb/Cr ratio in spot urine before and after contrast agents in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) scanning. Material and Method:The present study included 103 hospitalized patients aged between 18 and 75 years, who underwent contrast-enhanced CT scanning for any reason and did not develop contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). We compared the values of Alb/Cr ratio at the 6th, 12th, 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours after the procedure (post-procedure time) with the values at pre-procedure time. Results:The median age of the patients were 61 years. It has been observed that there is no significant increased in microalbuminuria after the use of contrast media. When the patients were evaluated for the albuminuria level before the procedure, it has been seen that 73 patients (70.9%) had an Alb/Cr ratio of <30 mg/g (group-1) and 30 patients (29.1%) had an Alb/Cr ratio of ≥30 mg/g (group-2). In group 1, it has been observed that the Alb/Cr ratios at the post-procedure 6th, 12th, 24th, and 48th hours were statistically significantly higher than the value at pre-procedure time. In group 2, it has been observed that Alb/Cr ratio values at all post-procedure time except the 24th hour were statistically significantly lower than the values at the pre-procedure time. Conclusion: It should be considered that there might be changes in Alb/Cr ratio even without developing significant complications such as CIN in patients exposed to contrast medium.