Value of the protein / creatinine index as a marker of proteinuria in the diagnosis of preeclampsia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Proteinuria is a diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic precision of the protein creatinine ratio (PCR) in an isolated
urine sample, in comparison with the 24-hour urine collection.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, retrospective and analytical study. The evaluated sample
consisted of pregnant women, between 18 and 45 years of age, with a gestational age> 20 weeks, with
blood pressure ≥140mmHg / ≥90mmHg, who presented 24-hour proteinuria and isolated urine samples.
RESULTS: The sensitivity of the 0.3 mg / dl PCR sample for proteinuria greater than 300mg / dl was 67.9%
with a specificity of 91.2%. The PPV was 77.6% and the NPV was 86.4%. The area under the curve was
0.84 (p ≤ 0.05). A moderate correlation was found between PCR and 24-hour proteinuria in patients with
pre-eclampsia (r = 0.663). The cut-off point that maximized the test was 0.20.

CONCLUSIONS: PCR turns out to be an acceptable method in the initial evaluation of pregnant patients
with suspected preeclampsia. As the sensitivity of the test is moderate, it would leave a significant number
of patients undiagnosed. As a screening test, the cut-off point for the PCR should be 0.20.