Original Articles
A simple cost-effective screening test for microalbuminuria
Authors:
H. Peiris ,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, LK
About H.
Department of Biochemistry
A. A. P. Keerthi,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, LK
About A. A. P.
Department of Biochemistry
U. C. L. Hewage,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, LK
About U. C. L.
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences
D. J. S. Fernando
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, LK
About D. J. S.
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Estimation of urinary albumin excretion in micro quantities requires expensive immunochemical methods which are not freely available in developing countries with limited resources. A study was performed to set up a simple cost-effective test to quantitatively assess the microalbuminuria. Urine specimens (173 samples) were collected and albumin concentration was estimated by precipitating with 25% sulphosalicylic acid (SSA) and use of a light dependent resistor (LDR) system. As the sensitivity of LDR system was interfered by the colour pigment of urine, all samples were run through a Sephadex G-25 micro column to separate the colour pigment. The present test detects albumin concentrations in the range 10-200 mg/L with a sensitivity and specificity values of 83 and 79% respectively. We conclude that the present LDR micro column gel filtration method can be used as a cost -effective screening test for microalbuminuria in developing countries.
How to Cite:
Peiris, H., Keerthi, A.A.P., Hewage, U.C.L. and Fernando, D.J.S., 2003. A simple cost-effective screening test for microalbuminuria. Ceylon Journal of Medical Science, 46(2), pp.73–81. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cjms.v46i2.4850
Published on
20 Dec 2003.
Peer Reviewed
Downloads
