Microalbuminuria is the presence of trace amounts of albumin in the urine. Albumin is a normal protein found in the blood, but only very small amounts of albumin occur in the urine under physiological conditions. Microalbuminuria reflects abnormal leakage of protein from the kidneys.
Clinical significance of urine microalbumin test: In clinical practice, urine microalbumin index is usually applied to monitor the occurrence of kidney disease. The detection of urine microalbumin is the most sensitive and reliable diagnostic indicator for the early detection of nephropathy and a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease in non-diabetic patients.
The presence of urinary microalbumin represents an important change in the natural progression of age-related diseases such as diabetes and essential hypertension. It reflects the presence of extensive vascular damage in the human body and is a good indicator of early kidney damage, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and timely therapeutic intervention can reduce microalbumin levels and improve the prognosis of the primary disease.