New semiquantitative dipstick test for microalbuminuria.

OBJECTIVE

We compared a new semiquantitative dipstick test for microalbuminuria (Micral-Test) with a quantitative immunoturbidimetric method.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This correlation study was performed at a pediatric and medical outpatient clinic at a university hospital. Overnight urine samples containing less than 200 mg/L albumin from 186 diabetic patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

The correlation coefficient between the new semiquantitative method and the immunoturbidimetric reference method was 0.82. Elevated albumin concentration was defined as greater than 20 mg/L albumin in overnight urine, and the prevalence of samples with values above this level was 28%. By this definition, the Micral-Test assay level greater than or equal to 20 mg/L had a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 82.1%. Of the diabetic subjects, 84.9% were correctly classified as having elevated urinary albumin concentration or not.

CONCLUSIONS

The Micral-Test is useful for in-clinic screening for elevated urinary albumin concentration and monitoring the development of urinary albumin excretion in the low microalbuminuric range.