The characteristics of new semi-quantitative method for diagnosing proteinuria by using random urine samples

We assessed the characteristics of the new semi‐quantitative test paper (Clinitek ATLAS Pro12) using random urine samples. Three hundred urine samples were analyzed using eitherthe new test paper, conventional dipsticks, quantitative (P/C ratio), or immunological quantitative methods (A/C ratio). Our study showed that the new test paper is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of urinary protein. The new test paper also detected the urine protein more accurately than the conventional test and has a lower false‐positive rate. In addition, the new test paper detected 14 of the 300 patients (4.7%) as dilute urine samples needing reassessment. Seventeen of the 300 samples tested were negative with conventional dipsticks but positive with the new test paper. The new semi‐quantitative test paper not only has higher sensitivity than the conventional dipstick method, but also has potential to detect dilute samples. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:14–19, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.