[Estimation of quantitative proteinuria using a new dipstick in random urine samples]

Proteinuria is quantified for diagnostic and prognostic purposes and to assess responses to therapy. Methods used to assess urinary protein include 24-hour urine collection (24-Up) and determination of the ratio of protein to creatinine concentration (Up/Ucr) in simple voided urine samples (Up/Ucr quantitative method). However, these methods are costly and time consuming. The Multistix PRO 11 (Bayer Medical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) is a new urine dipstick that allows rapid measurement of Up/Ucr. Results obtained with the Multistix PRO 11 coincided well with those obtained with the 24-Up method (kappa = 0.68) and the Up/Ucr quantitative method (kappa = 0.75). However, Multistix PRO 11 did not accurately measure moderate to severe proteinuria (> or = 500 mg/g. Cr). Our findings suggest that Multistix PRO 11 is useful for the screening, assessment, and follow-up of mild proteinuria.