Key result
Microalbuminuria (AER > 20 micrograms/minute) was highly specific (91%) but had low sensitivity (12%) for detecting coronary heart disease in non-diabetic patients.
Why the study?
Is microalbuminuria a sensitive and specific indicator of coronary heart disease in non-diabetic patients?
Observational (n=181)
Is microalbuminuria a sensitive and specific indicator of coronary heart disease in non-diabetic patients?
Microalbuminuria is highly specific but lacks sensitivity as an indicator of coronary heart disease in non-diabetic populations.
Low sensitivity precludes ruling out coronary disease on testing; leaves open microalbuminuria's value as a specific marker in non-diabetics.
Microalbuminuria (or urinary albumin excretion rates (AER) above normal limits) is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) particularly in diabetics. To determine the sensitivity and specificity of AER for CHD in a non-diabetic population we prospectively studied 115 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography and 66 undergoing exercise electrocardiography (ECG). There was no relationship between AER and the severity of CHD determined by angiography (Gensini-scored). While microalbuminuria (AER > 20 micrograms/minute) was 91% specific it had low sensitivity (12%). Microalbuminuria is not a sensitive indicator of CHD in a non-diabetic population.
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Buggy et al. (1993) conducted an observational in Coronary heart disease (n=181). Microalbuminuria vs. Normal albumin excretion was evaluated on Sensitivity and specificity of AER for CHD. Microalbuminuria (AER > 20 micrograms/minute) was highly specific (91%) but had low sensitivity (12%) for detecting coronary heart disease in non-diabetic patients.
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