Authors: Collins, A. C. G.¹; Vincent, J.¹; Newall, R. G.²; Mitchell, K. M.¹; Viberti, G. C.¹

Source: Diabetic Medicine, Volume 18, Number 11, November 2001 , pp. 928-932(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Aims 

To compare the performance of the DCA2000 microalbuminuria system for albumin and creatinine concentrations and the albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) with laboratory measurements in the hospital diabetes clinic and to assess the ease of use and applicability by standard clinic personnel. Methods 

Urine albumin and creatinine concentration and ACR were measured in 154 diabetic patient samples and in 77 normal subjects. Both albumin assays are based on immunoturbidimetry. The DCA2000 system utilizes reagent cartridges processed automatically. Results 

Control material within-run precision (coefficient of variation (CV)) for albumin and creatinine ranged up to 7.1% and 3.3% respectively. Between-run CVs ranged from 2.1% to 4.3%. Method comparisons yielded correlation coefficients > 0.99 for albumin, creatinine and ACR, only a small negative bias of 3.2 mg/l for albumin and 0.10 mg/mmol for ACR, no concentration-related bias for ACR and no between-method difference for either albumin (P = 0.195) or ACR (P = 0.341). At a laboratory albumin concentration cut-off of 20 mg/l the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values were 92.4% 100% 92.7% and 100%. Normal reference range mean albumin, creatinine and ACR values for the DCA2000 and the laboratory were 7.7 mg/l vs. 9.0 mg/l 13.0 mmol/l vs. 12.6 mmol/l and 0.66 mg/mmol vs. 0.81 mg/mmol respectively. Clinic personnel found that the DCA2000 system was easy to use suited the clinic environment and generated confidence in the results. Conclusions 

This point of care system safely substitutes laboratory-based measurements. Ease of use and low cost make it suitable for screening and monitoring diabetes treatment. It facilitates the use of random urines, and may obviate the need for timed samples. This approach has a clear place in the battle to reduce the diabetic vascular disease burden.

Diabet. Med. 18, 928-932 (2001)

Keywords: microalbuminuria; albumin:creatinine ratio; point of care; diabetic nephropathy

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Internal Medicine, GKT School of Medicine, Kings College (Guy's Hospital Campus), London, and 2: Bayer plc, Diagnostics Division, Newbury, UK

Publication date: 2001-11-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Internal Medicine
• By this author: Collins, A. C. G. ;  Vincent, J. ;  Newall, R. G. ;  Mitchell, K. M. ;  Viberti, G. C.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers