Development of DN is generally characterized by an increase of urinary albumin excretion rate (>300 mg/24 h or 200 μg/min). Microalbuminuria (30-300 mg/24 h or 20-200 μg/min) is considered a risk factor and as an early indicator of future onset of DN. Microalbuminuria is regarded as the earliest clinical marker of renal damage. However, structural changes to the kidney have already occurred at the stage of microalbuminuria and patients with microalbuminuria have a high risk for development of renal disease, but also increased morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease.