Heavy proteinuria is characteristic of glomerular diseases. 'Nephrotic range' proteinuria (>3.0g/24h is one definition) is always glomerular. Proteinuria is also an important prognostic indicator for the progression of chronic renal damage.
Relating protein excretion to excretion of creatinine corrects for variations in urine concentration, and measurements of this ratio on single samples can in most circumstances substitute for 24h collections. The conversions shown here are approximately. Those with lower creatinine production will have a higher ratio for a given rate of protein excretion. This conversion assumes a daily creatinine excretion of approx 10 mmol - on the low side for muscular men.
|
ACR |
PCR |
Implication |
Approx 24h equivalent |
|
>2.5/3.5 |
>15 |
Abnormal (ACR values are for male, (female): adequate to define CKD 1 or 2. |
150mg protein |
|
30 |
50 |
Favour ACE inhibitor/ARB if hypertensive Commence ACEI/ARB if diabetic Suffix 'p' on CKD stage |
0.5g |
|
70 |
100 |
Stricter BP limits apply Referral threshold in non-diabetics |
1g |
|
>250 |
>300 |
Approximately 'nephrotic range' proteinuria |
>3g |
Note that up to 150mg/24h is normal and about 30mg of this is albumin. A concentration of about 150mg/l corresponds to 'trace' on a urine dipstick, and 300mg/l to 1+, but this is obviously affected by urine concentration/dilution.
As proteinuria rises, albumin forms a relatively larger proportion; about 50% at 300mg/l and 70% at 1g/l. So the referral threshold of 100mg/mmol is not very different for albumin and it may be simplest to quote the same.
Spontaneous or therapeutic reductions in proteinuria are in general good prognostic indicators. Some therapies that reduce proteinuria (ACEI or ARB) have been shown to improve long term renal outcomes in randomized controlled trials. In approximately descending order of evidence
Proteinuria - information for patients from EdRenINFO
Management of proteinuria - guideline for management of proteinuria in primary care or other hospital specialities from GP Info.
UK CKD eGuide on proteinuria
Neil
Turner was the main author for this page which was first published in 2001. It was last updated
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