Objective: We compared a new semiquantitative dipstick test for microalbuminuria (Micral-Test) with a quantitative immunoturbidimetric method.
Research design and methods: This correlation study was performed at a pediatric and medical outpatient clinic at a university hospital. Overnight urine samples containing less than 200 mg/L albumin from 186 diabetic patients were analyzed.
Results: The correlation coefficient between the new semiquantitative method and the immunoturbidimetric reference method was 0.82. Elevated albumin concentration was defined as greater than 20 mg/L albumin in overnight urine, and the prevalence of samples with values above this level was 28%. By this definition, the Micral-Test assay level greater than or equal to 20 mg/L had a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 82.1%. Of the diabetic subjects, 84.9% were correctly classified as having elevated urinary albumin concentration or not.
Conclusions: The Micral-Test is useful for in-clinic screening for elevated urinary albumin concentration and monitoring the development of urinary albumin excretion in the low microalbuminuric range.