Evaluation of the efficacy of random urine analysis with urinary tape for the determination of proteinuria and its comparison with 24-hours urine collection in gestational hypertension

Proteinuria is an important diagnostic sign of pre-eclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The purpose of this study was to compare the results of random urinalysis for proteinuria with standard 24-hour urinary protein.

In this survey proteinuria in random urine was compared with standard 24- hours urinary protein excretion in 82 women with HDP, hospitalized in EmamReza Hospital, Mashad, between 1380 and 1381.

Findings showed random urinalysis values of ≥1+ proteinuria had a positive predictive value of 85% for predicting >300 mg per 24 hour, (defined as proteinuria). In contrast, values of negative protein and trace should not be used to rule out significant proteinuria because its negative predictive value was only 28% in hypertensive patients. Moreover, values of 3+ to 4+ proteinuria could not be used to diagnose severe preeclampsia because their positive predictive value was only 26%.

Random urinalysis may fail to demonstrate significant proteinuria in HDP and this study suggests that 24-hour urine excretion should be measured for patients selected for termination of pregnancy.