SubscribeDiabetes is on the rise, and with it devastating complications in the form of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
This is why international organisations are urging national health bodies to begin screening for microalbuminuria, as the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) has done in its formal Call to Act.
Microalbuminuria, a condition in which low but abnormal amounts of albumin are present in the urine, is an early risk marker for both CKD and CVD. But because the condition is not accompanied by any noticeable symptoms, its detection depends greatly on you who work in primary care.
Diabetes, Hypertension and CVD
Microalbuminuria is treatable, so screening for it can potentially benefit anyone. But the ISN Call to Act specifies three target groups, all of which have a strong relationship with primary care:
- People with diabetes
- People with hypertension
- People over the age of 50 with a family history of diabetes and/or CVD
Patients with type 2 diabetes are most often treated in general practice, as are people with hypertension. And those in the risk zone for diabetes and hypertension, especially if they are over 50, are likely to undergo annual check-ups. At the very least, people in all these groups seek out primary care for advice regarding general symptoms.
In light of this, screening for microalbuminura in primary care is both natural and convenient. But most importantly, it has the potential to reach large numbers of people at risk.
Microalbuminuria Screening
In fact, the very nature of primary care creates an advantage when it comes to preventing CKD and CVD through microalbuminuria screening. Because patients turn repeatedly to your clinic or practice, you know better than anyone which of them ought to be tested. Besides having access to their medical histories, you can identify lifestyle factors such as obesity or smoking that put them at greater risk.
When this knowledge is applied in the form of proactive screening, it enables early detection and treatment that can preserve your patients' quality of life. If patents are tested only after symptoms appear, major damage may have already occurred.
Primary Care Diagnosis of Microalbuminuria
Though a diagnosis of microalbuminuria is never welcome, the fact that it comes from primary care has its advantages. The same relationship that lets you identify patients at risk helps them feel comforted, secure and ready to listen should they exhibit the early signs of CKD or CVD.
Patients have a natural trust in the judgment of their doctor, which means you are in the best position to bring about a change. By working with your patients and drawing on what you know about their history and lifestyle, you can develop the treatment plan with the greatest potential for success.
And once that plan is determined, your established relationship offers a natural continuity that helps ensure effective follow-up.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 1 in 10 people and is a disease multiplier that increases the risk of heart attacksand strokes. A simple urine test can identify it.
Urine Albumin Measurement
Of course, screening for microalbuminuria in primary care requires a simple and effective method. Accuracy and precision are both essential, but so are speed, ease and cost-efficiency.
Fortunately, all of these needs can be met by the HemoCue Albumin 201 system.
HemoCue Albumin 201 is a quantitative tool that lets you measure urine albumin while the patient is on hand, providing immediate answers for immediate action.
Among the system's features are:
- Lab-accurate results in 90 seconds
- Compact design
- Factory calibration - no need for recalibration
- User-friendly operation - no lab training needed
- Data storage and review options
- High cost-efficiency
Your HemoCue representative can provide more information about HemoCue Albumin 201 and microalbuminuria screening in general.