[Nephrological basis diagnosis in clinical practice].

The traditional urinalysis program, consisting of qualitative tests and the microscopical analysis of the urinary sediment, does no longer seem to be an adequate strategy to meet current medical quality requirements. New sensitive tests allow to exclude dysfunctions of glomerular and tubular function with hitherto unknown efficiency. This is possible by application of simple assays based on immunological techniques for albumin and alpha-1-microglobulin, which can be used in any medical office without technical equipment. Any finding of proteinuria, haematuria or leukocyturia may be differentiated by simple turbidimetric and microscopic procedures to separate renal from prerenal and postrenal causes. The new techniques have been successfully applied in early detection of renal complications in diabetics and hypertonics as well as immunological forms of renal disease. It is to be expected that the broader application of the new strategy helps to reduce many invasive investigations for the benefit of patients.