Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure throughout the world and early detection is the key to preventing and/or reversing the disease. There may be no warning signs in the earliest stages of kidney disease. Elevated urine albumin levels provide an early warning sign of deteriorating renal function therefore, it is vital to test for microalbuminuria on a regular basis. In addition, albumin-to-creatinine (A:C) ratio testing is an important tool for early detection of kidney disease. With a simple urine test at the time of the office visit, patients can be assessed and clinicians can determine if a patient is at risk for developing kidney damage.
Point-of-care (POC) microalbuminuria testing plays a key role in the early detection and management of kidney disease, especially in patients with diabetes. Healthcare providers need to stay informed about the latest recommendations so they can best manage their patients and improve clinical outcomes.
At the conclusion of the webinar, participants should be able to:
- Understand the importance of POC A:C ratio testing in patients with diabetes for early detection of kidney disease
- Recognize why POC A:C ratio testing is better than microalbuminuria testing alone
- Understand the advantage of ratio results to minimize the need and inconvenience of timed urine collections
- Understand the American Diabetes Association urine testing recommendations
Christopher Price is Visiting Professor in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, and Clinical Director of the Cumbria and Lancashire Pathology Commissioning Network.
