Evaluation of Point-of-Care Tests for Detecting Microalbuminuria in Diabetic Patients
S. Afr. fam. pract. (2004, Online)
;
53(3): 281-286, 2011.
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1269939
ABSTRACT
Background:
Microalbuminuria; the presence of low levels of albumin in the urine; indicates renal damage and is recognised as a risk factor for the progression of renal and cardiovascular disease. Several international scientific bodies recommend microalbuminuria screening. Point-of-care testing (POCT) of microalbuminuria allows immediate identification of risk; and monitoring of treatment effects. In this study; two POCT instruments were evaluated as microalbuminuria screening methods.Method:
Spot urine specimens from diabetic patients were analysed with the quantitative HemoCuer urine albumin analyser (n = 245); and the semiquantitative Clinitekr microalbumin urine dipstick (n = 204). These results were compared to the respective data for laboratory-determined albumin (nephelometry); creatinine (modified Jaffe) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR).Results:
Linear regression analysis demonstrated a good correlation for the HemoCuer urine albumin with the laboratorydetermined albumin concentration (y = 0.8557x + 0.2487y; r = 0.97). The sensitivities for the HemoCuer and Clinitekr POCTsystems were 79.6and 83.8; and the pecificities 97.1and 93.8respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for the HemoCuer were 95.6and 85.8; and were 88.6and 91.0the Clinitekr. The repeatability of both instruments was excellent. Both instruments are easy to use; and more cost-effective than the laboratory methods for albumin and ACR.Conclusion:
Both the HemoCuer and the Clinitekr microalbumin POCT systems for albuminuria are easy to use and inexpensive; and are adequately accurate as a screening method. Although the HemoCuer POCT system measures only urine albumin concentration; its sensitivity and specificity compared well with that of the Clinitekr POCT system; which determines the ACR
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Patients
/
Technology Assessment, Biomedical
/
Point-of-Care Systems
/
Diabetes Mellitus
/
Albuminuria
Type of study:
Health technology assessment
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Language:
English
Journal:
S. Afr. fam. pract. (2004, Online)
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
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