Microalbuminuria in NIDDM

To determine an effective screening procedure for microalbuminuria.

The prevalence of microalbuminuria in NIDDM patients whose urine was negative on routine Albustix testing was studied. Microalbuminuria was measured in overnight urine samples from 128 NIDDM patients on at least two of three occasions over a 6-mo period. Patients were tested with Micro-Bumintest or Micral-Test.

Ten of 128 patients had albumin concentrations ≥ or = 20 mg/L on two or more occasions, 14 patients had A-C ratios ≥ or = 3 mg/M on two or more occasions, and 9 patients had both.

Neither Micro-Bumintest nor Micral-Test is a useful or feasible screening procedure for microalbuminuria.