title: Microalbuminuria in clinical practice.
abstract: Albumin excretion rate measured by new immunoassays and semiquantitative tests is advocated as a means for early detection of diabetic nephropathy. We determined albumin excretion rate in 276 patients. Albumin excretion rate was normal in 66%, within the microalbuminuric range in 27%, and within the macroproteinuric range in 7%. Significant predictors of albumin excretion rate included presence of hypertension and glycosylated hemoglobin level in type I diabetes mellitus, and years since diagnosis in type II diabetes mellitus. A semiquantitative test was deemed to be of limited diagnostic value. We conclude that testing for early diabetic nephropathy in routine clinical practice gives valuable information and that determination by a quantitative immunoassay based on a single 24-hour urine sample is preferable. The optimal frequency of screening and the levels that determine progressive renal disease have yet to be established.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich. 48202.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Feldkamp
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000652:urine; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000652:urine; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic