Spot urine protein-creatinine ratio and 24-h urine protein excretion: Diagnostic accuracy in women with pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of spot urinary protein/creatinine ratio with 24h urinary protein excretion in women with pre-eclampsia.

Methods: A total of 85 women with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy were prospectively studied. Urine protein/creatinine ratio in spot urine sample was compared with 24h urinary protein. Sensitivity and specificity for urinary spot P/C (protein/creatinine) ratio was assessed, and receiver operating curve was used to determine the value against the gold standard of >300mg proteinuria in 24h urinary sample.

Results: Of 85 women, complete data were available for 81 women. There was a strong correlation between spot urinary P/C ratio and 24h urine protein excretion (r=0.81, P value <0.000). The optimal spot P/C ratio cut-off point was 0.14 for 300mg/24h of protein excretion (preeclampsia) with a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 79%.

Conclusion: We found a strong correlation between spot urinary P/C and 24h urinary protein. Spot urinary protein/creatinine ratio is a good predictor of proteinuria for pre-eclampsia.

Keywords: Pakistan; Pre-eclampsia; Proteinuria; Spot urinary protein/creatinine ratio.