Biochemical markers of diabetic microangiopathy. Past, present and future.

ABSTRACT

The first signs of diabetic microvascular complications in the eyes and kidney, and early signs of neuropathy, may develop in children and adolescents. The development and progression of such complications are clearly related to blood glucose control. The mechanisms by which microangiopathy develops are not exactly known, and there are no excellent biochemical markers with high predictive value for future microangiopathy. The best available markers today are HbA1c and the urinary albumin excretion. New biochemical markers related to advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and recently possible genetic markers, have been described. The predictive value of single markers and the combination of such markers has to be tested in long term clinical studies.