The significance of trace proteinuria.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The clinical significance of a trace protein reading on urinalysis is unclear, and such a result is often ignored by the clinician.

METHODS:

We examined 185 samples of urine with trace proteinuria by both Chemstrips and sulfosalicylic acid testing, and compared the results with those of urinary albumin and total protein concentrations.

RESULTS:

Taking for the purposes of this study an arbitrary upper limit of normal of 20 mg/l for albumin and 100 mg/l for total protein concentration, we found abnormal albumin excretion in 87% and abnormal total protein excretion in 88% of trace samples. In this study, a negative urinalysis for protein excluded microalbuminuria in 87% and proteinuria in 78% of cases.

CONCLUSION:

Qualitative testing for protein by urinalysis has a high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing or ruling out microalbuminuria. Trace proteinuria usually means microalbuminuria; negative proteinuria tends to rule it out.

• Authors: R Sam, M S Shaykh, A A Pegoraro, V Khalili, I Hristea, A K Singh, J A L Arruda, G Dunea
• Journal: American journal of nephrology (Am J Nephrol) 2003 Nov-Dec Vol. 23 Issue 6 Pg. 438-41 ISSN: 0250-8095 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 14583662 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• Benzenesulfonates
• Reagent Strips
• Salicylates
• sulfosalicylic acid

Topics

• Albuminuria (diagnosis)
• Benzenesulfonates
• Humans
• Kidney Diseases (diagnosis)
• Proteinuria (diagnosis)
• Reagent Strips
• Salicylates
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Urinalysis (methods)