[Comparison of 2 methods of measuring microalbuminuria. Immunonephelometry and radioimmunology].

The early detection of microalbuminuria in insulin dependent diabetes is considered as a sign of initial stage of nephropathy (possibly reversible if glycemic balance is well maintained). This detection requires very accurate methods as radioimmunoassays. Yet, they are so slow that they represent an obstacle to systematic detection. We report an appraisement of an immunonephelemetric method. Results reveal that immunonephelemetry is a sensitive and accurate method (threshold of sensitivity 0.5 mg/l; CV intra assay less than 5%; CV inter assays less than 10%; analytical recovery: 94-104%). Moreover, immunonephelemetry and radioimmunology are significantly well correlated (r = 0.977, p less than 0.001). As a conclusion, we can say that thanks to complete automation, immunonephelemetry is a choice method to test great lines of samples.