The predictive value of microalbuminuria.
An elevated urinary albumin excretion (termed microalbuminuria) has been proposed as a predictor for later development of clinical diabetic nephropathy (hypertension, falling glomerular filtration rate [GFR], and urinary albumin excretion greater than 300 mg/24 h). However, review of the original reports on the predictability of microalbuminuria revealed a concomitant presence of elevated BP and a propensity to falling GFR. Thus, the predictability of microalbuminuria rests on the added evaluation of BP and GFR. Additional investigation is needed to address the possibility that microalbuminuria and either a rising BP or a falling GFR or both indicates established diabetic nephropathy rather than predicting its development.
Steffes
M W
MW
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455.
Chavers
B M
BM
Bilous
R W
RW
Mauer
S M
SM
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000150:complications / Q000652:urine*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine*; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests