The process involves determining the concentration of microalbumin in a urine sample and dividing that value by the concentration of creatinine in the same sample. Both measurements must be expressed in compatible units (e.g., mg/L for microalbumin and g/L for creatinine). For example, if a urine sample contains 30 mg/L of microalbumin and 1 g/L of creatinine, the resulting ratio is 30 mg/g.
This ratio provides an assessment of kidney function, specifically detecting early signs of kidney damage in individuals at risk, such as those with diabetes or hypertension. Early detection allows for timely intervention and management strategies to slow the progression of kidney disease, improving patient outcomes and potentially preventing more severe complications. Historically, the measurement of microalbumin has been recognized as a sensitive indicator of glomerular dysfunction, predating the overt proteinuria seen in later stages of kidney disease.