Point-of-Care Diagnostic Test Detects Microalbuminuria

A point-of-care diagnostic test can detect microalbuminuria, a biologic marker for kidney and cardiovascular disease, as accurately as conventional laboratory tests.

Investigators found that quantitative test results using the HemoCue (Angelholm, Sweden) Albumin 201 system are as accurate as laboratory albumin-to-creatinine (ACR) estimations and are at least as sensitive and specific for microalbuminuria detection. These results, together with the simplicity of handling and processing speed of the HemoCue Albumin 201 device, support the value of this system for microalbuminuria detection at the point of care or in the laboratory.

The HemoCue Albumin 201 system enables physicians to quantify albumin levels in urine using an immunoturbidimetric reaction, which creates a cloudy specimen due to a reaction between antigens and antibodies. Practitioners can perform the test with minimal training on a urine sample collected at their offices. The test can be easily interpreted, enabling the physician to provide immediate feedback to the patient and make treatment decisions at the point of care

Microalbuminuria is a condition characterized by increased level of albumin excretion in urine. It is a well-recognized marker for endothelial dysfunction, and is well established as the first indication of diabetic nephropathy. Microalbuminuria is also associated with higher risk for cardiovascular events and overall mortality, both in the general population and in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.

HemoCue is a Quest Diagnostics company.



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