Albuminuria is an early manifestation of diabetic nephropathy
and is associated with risk factors including
hypertension, impaired glycaemic control, and hyperlipidaemia
[4]. It is also an early sign of microvascular
disease in diabetes [5] and is associated with an increased
risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [6]. Using albuminuria
as inclusion criteria meant that this group was at much
higher risk of cardiovascular events (equivalent to existing
coronary disease) [5] and improving metabolic control