Microalbuminuria refers to the increased excretion of albumin into the urine, which is so slight that it can be detected only by sensitive immunological analysis. Microalbuminuria is measured in diabetic patients to predict incipient nephropathy. The predictive value of microalbuminuria for the expression of cardiovascular diseases has also been investigated and, in fact, is as powerful for predicting hyperlipidaemia or hypertension.17 Microalbuminuria also occurs in acute conditions where capillary permeability increases.