A comparative study of the accuracy of the spot Protein-Creatinine Ratio (PCR) vs 24 hours urine collection for detection of proteinuria in pre- eclamptic patients and its effect maternal and fetal outcomes

Abstract

Proteinuria is a major component of preeclampsia. Urine protein measurement after 24-hour urine collection is the traditional standard method for the detection of proteinuria. It is time-consuming. As an alternative, spot sampling for a urine protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) ratio has been investigated. To determine the accuracy of the spot protein- creatinine ratio in comparison with 24 hours urine collection for detection of proteinuria in pre- eclamptic patients. A hospital based prospective study was conducted with 120 patients to assess the quantification of proteinuria in preeclamptic patient and comparing the two methods i.e. 24-hr urine protein levels and random protein creatinine ratio conducted at tertiary care centre. There was a good positive statistical correlation between 24-hour total urinary protein level and spot protein: creatinine ratio with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.769.Conclusion: Random and spot urine protein creatinine ratio can predict with high accuracy the amount of 24- hour urine protein excretion. The urine PCR is reliable, relatively faster and accurate for proteinuria and can correlate well with 24-hour urinary protein excretion which is gold standard.