Comparison of urinary albumin excretion rate in overnight urine and albumin creatinine ratio in spot urine in diabetic patients in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether measurement of albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) on a spot urine specimen can replace a timed overnight collection of urine albumin excretion rate (UAER) in patients with diabetes in primary care.


METHODS
Patients with diabetes attending Rønvik Health Centre were asked to bring a timed overnight collection of urine for measurement of UAER. They were also asked to void a urine specimen for measurement of albumin creatinine ratio.


METHODS
Primary health care.


METHODS
One-hundred-and-six persons with diabetes (47 women, 59 men) aged 13 to 78 years.


RESULTS
The sensitivity and specificity of ACR with cut-off values of 2.5 mg/mmol for men and 3.5 mg/mmol for women compared to UAER with cut-off value of 20 mg/24 h was 90%.


CONCLUSIONS
Spot urine ACR analysed on a DCA 2000 can replace a timed (overnight) collection of urine and measurement of UAER when diabetic patients are reviewed in general practice. This simplifies procedures for the patient as a timed urine collection is no longer necessary. Another advantage is that the results are available after 7 min.
Claudi
T
T
Rønvik Health Centre, Bodø, Norway. tclaudi@online.no
Cooper
J G
JG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000419:Albuminuria; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000652:urine*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003404:Creatinine