title: Urinary alpha 1 microglobulin levels in surveys of Balkan endemic nephropathy.
abstract: The urinary alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1m) concentration was measured in 644 adults living in districts where Balkan nephropathy (BEN) is endemic. Comparison of alpha 1m with other indicators of tubular proteinuria, which is a classical sign of BEN, showed alpha 1m was a satisfactory marker. Using a cut-off of 20 mg alpha 1m/L none of 102 normal UK residents had a positive level. Whilst a raised level of alpha 1m was present in 85.7% of definitive cases of BEN and in 8.1%, 10.2% and 50% of subjects previously classified as normal, at risk and suspicious respectively according to the criteria used for epidemiological surveys of BEN.
mesh_terms: D001449:Balkan Nephropathy / Q000652:urine*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000652:urine*; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000652:urine; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin