At the follow-up visit, fasting blood samples were drawn,
for the determination of HbA1c
, lipids, lipoproteins and
serum creatinine. HbA1c was analysed by immunoturbidimetry. Serum lipids were measured by automated enzymatic
methods using an analyser (Cobas Mira; Hoffman-La Roche,
Basel, Switzerland) and serum creatinine by routine enzymatic methods. Urinary AER was assessed from overnight
and/or 24-h urine collections by immunoturbidimetry.