Critical analysis of proteinuria estimation methods in pre-eclampsia: A main research article (original) (raw)

Purpose of the study: The gold standard 24-hour urine collection method for protein estimation is inconvenient and is associated with a delay in laboratory analysis. This study was undertaken to analyse the salphosalicylic acid test, urine dip stick test, urine protein to creatinine ratio with 24-hour urine protein estimation in pre-eclampsia cases. Materials and Method: This is a comparative study and consists of a single group of 240 subjects. This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in collaboration with the. The subjects included 240 pre-eclampsia women. A first voided morning sample was obtained for sulphosalicylic acid test, Dipstick test, urine protein and creatinine estimation, urine culture and Subsequent urine samples were collected for the 24-hour urine protein estimation. Main findings: For significant proteinuria sulphosalicylic acid test with 1+ proteinuria has sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of 59%,48%,39%,67% where as 2+ has 44%, 88%, 75% and 67% respectively, dipstick test with 1+ proteinuria has sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of 71%, 52%, 54%,70% where as 2+ has 49%, 87%, 75% and 69% respectively. The spot urine protein to creatinine ratio and 24-hour urine protein were significantly correlated (r=0.98; P<0.0001). The cutoff value for the protein to creatinine ratio as an indicator of protein excretion ≥300 mg/day was 0.285. The sensitivity, specificity PPV and NPV were 100%, 99.02%, 100% and 99% respectively. Conclusion: The spot urine protein to creatinine ratio is a better method for estimation of proteinuria in pre-eclampsia.