NEW YORK—Researchers have developed a simple tool to help people with albuminuria—excessive protein in the urine—self-assess their risk at home, get screened by a doctor and begin treatment with medication that can reduce their risks, according to a study in the August issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.
"Albuminuria is an important but relatively unknown risk factor for major illnesses and death,” said Dr. Kerry Willis, Senior Vice President for Scientific Activities at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). “This self-assessment tool can help increase detection, promote early treatment and ultimately reduce risk and prevent kidney failure and cardiac events.”
“Population-wide screening for albuminuria is not cost-effective,” said Muntner, “therefore we developed the self assessment tool that is designed to increase awareness and screening among those that are most likely to have it.”
The tool uses age, self-rated health and six yes/no questions--race, sex, current smoking and self-reported history of diabetes, hypertension and stroke. Points are assigned for each item with a maximum of 25.
"Anyone who scores 10 or above on the self-assessment test has a high probability for albuminuria and should talk to their doctor about getting screened using dipstick or spot urine testing. Those tests are painless and effective treatment is available for those who test positive," said Muntner.
