The presence of unusual but low concentration of albumin in the urine indicates an early stage of renal dysfunction, which could progress to life threatening disease
Routine screening and monitoring of microalbuminuria in diabetic patients is widely recommended by several bodies including the government's National Service Framework (NSF) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (Sign).
The presence of unusual but low concentration of albumin in the urine indicates an early stage of renal dysfunction, which undiagnosed and untreated, could progress to life threatening disease. Screening for the condition allows early intervention and regular monitoring improves overall management of the condition.
At Ninewells hospital and medical school in Dundee, part of Tayside University Hospitals, the HemoCue urine albumin system is used in the routine screening for microalbuminuria carried out in their excellent Diabetes Centre.
"The HemoCue system is extremely convenient, providing reliable high quality results," says Sharon Boyle, BMS 2, at Ninewells Hospital.
"Biochemical medicine performs approximately 50 microalbuminuria tests daily. "About 30 patients are routinely screened in the diabetes centre with about 20 additional samples from inpatients, primary care and diabetes outreach clinics sent to the laboratory. "We find using the HemoCue the most efficient and convenient method for testing in both".
Boyle adds: "HemoCue is a very helpful and pleasant company to deal with providing an excellent back up service".
The HemoCue urine albumin system gives precise and accurate results in 90 seconds.
Factory calibrated against standard reference material, the stand-alone system consists of a small portable turbidimeter and disposable microcuvettes.
An internal electronic self-test verifies the performance of the optronics unit at every use.
Simple to use, the microcuvette draws in a precise amount of urine by capillary action that effectively mixes the sample with dry reagents contained within the cuvette.
An immunochemical reaction takes place and the resulting turbidity, proportional to the concentration of albumin, is measured and displayed by the analyser.
