RANDOM URINE ALBUMIN - CREATININE RATIO MEASUREMENTS AS A SCREENING-TEST FOR DIABETIC MICROALBUMINURIA - A 5 YEAR FOLLOW-UP

  • 28 November 1990
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 103  (902) , 562-564
Abstract
Serial random urine samples have been collected from 167 insulin treated diabetic patients attending the Waikato diabetes clinic from 1984 to 1989 and albumin/creatinine ratios measured as a screening test for diabetic microalbuminuria. The group ranged in age from 12 to 50 years and comprised 79 males and 88 females. Where the initial test was normal (<2.5), as found in 117 patients, 86.7% of all tests over the five years period (1032) remained normal. Of 50 patients with an initial elevated value, 39% of a total of 575 values taken over the five year period were subsequently normal. Conclusion: a random urine albumin meausurement taken at yearly intervals is an adequate screening programme for patients with an initial normal value.