The urine protein heat coagulation test--a useful screening test for proteinuria in pregnancy in developing countries: a method validation study.

In many parts of the developing world, the urine protein heat coagulation test is routinely used to screen for proteinuria in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine whether > or =1+ on a standardised heat coagulation test reliably detects significant proteinuria and to compare it with the dipstick test for urinary protein. Heat coagulation test, dipstick test and 24-hour urine protein excretion results of 102 women were compared. > or =1+ on heat coagulation test is as sensitive and specific as > or =2+ on the dipstick test in detecting proteinuria of > or =500 mg/day. The heat coagulation test, however, is less sensitive than > or =1+ on dipstick in detecting lesser degrees of proteinuria.