Original article
“White coat effect” in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria

Background: Microalbuminuria is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. There were not studies referred to estimate of dependence between value of albuminuria and white coat effect in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was the comparison of frequency of white coat effect in type 2 and its value in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and without this parameter.

Material and methods: The study comprised of 64 patients with type 2 diabetes and arterial hypertension. The patients were devided into two groups. The group I (n=25) comprised of patients with microalbuminuria and the group II (n=39) without microalbuminuria. To diagnose white coat effect, blood pressure values in ABPM with mean office arterial pressure values performed with the use of mercurial sphygmomanometr during outpatient visit were compared.

Results: In 24% of type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and in 26% of type 2 diabetic patients without microalbuminuria white coat effect was diagnosed. Prevalence of this parameter didn’t differ both groups (p>0.05). It was observed higher value of white coat effect in group I than in group II (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Prevalence of white coat effect didn’t differ patients with microalbuminuria and without microalbuminuria. Value of white coat effect was higher in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria compared with patients without microalbuminuria.