Publication:

Improving efficiency in preeclampsia diagnosis: spot urinary protein/creatinine ratio

Background Preeclampsia poses significant challenges to maternal healthcare due to its potential complications. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for maternal and fetal well-being. Traditional methods like the 24-hour urine collection for assessing proteinuria have limitations. The spot urinary protein/creatinine ratio offers a quicker alternative, but its clinical significance remains underexplored.

Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, aimed to compare the spot urinary protein/creatinine ratio with the conventional 24-hour urine protein collection method in pregnant women with preeclampsia. A total of 90 inpatients were included, meeting specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results In our study, 6.66% of subjects exhibited abnormal fundus examination findings, lower than a similar study (13%). No subjects had papilloedema, and conservatively managed abnormalities were comparable between studies. The mean urine protein creatinine ratio in our study was 1.75±2.32.

Conclusions This study highlights the potential of the spot urinary protein/creatinine ratio as an efficient diagnostic tool for preeclampsia at Kamla Nehru State Hospital for Mother and Child. Swift identification of significant proteinuria can streamline patient care, benefiting maternal and fetal outcomes in resource-constrained healthcare settings.