Advances in the study of proteinurias. II. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of urinary proteins.

The methods for proteinuria detection and assay are reviewed, insisting on the main factors which influence the sensitivity and specificity of the techniques currently used in clinical practice. The up-to-date classifications of proteinurias and the follow-up methods are critically discussed, with special emphasis on the intermittent proteinurias and their diagnostic and prognostic significance, as well as on the diagnostic value of microalbuminuria.