Performance of NycoCard:::U-Albumin and Micral-Test rapid methods for detecting microalbuminuria

NycoCard:::U-Albumin and Micral-Test semiquantitative methods were evaluated against nephelometric measurements of nightly albumin excretion rates from 159 consecutive diabetic patients. Both methods can be safely applied for screening of intact renal function even at a strict prediction limit for incipient nephropathy of albumin excretion rate = 15 micrograms/min (standardised specimens collected at bed-rest), since the predictive values of negative tests were 95-100% for both tests. Predictive values of positive tests were 38% (NycoCard:::U-Albumin) and 44% (Micral-Test), if the designated value of 10 mg/l was used as the limit of positivity. By using 20 mg/l as the limit, the predictive values of positive tests were 62% (NycoCard:::U-Albumin) and 72% (Micral-Test), indicating the need for quantitative measurements in patients with positive screening results at both these limits.