From the Research
A protein-to-creatinine ratio greater than 300-350 mg/mmol is indicative of nephrotic syndrome. This threshold represents significant proteinuria, which is a hallmark of nephrotic syndrome along with hypoalbuminemia, edema, and hyperlipidemia 1. The ratio is calculated by dividing urine protein concentration by urine creatinine concentration, providing a convenient alternative to 24-hour urine collection for quantifying protein excretion.
Key Points
- Nephrotic syndrome is defined by a triad of clinical features: oedema, substantial proteinuria, and hypoalbuminaemia 1
- The protein-to-creatinine ratio is a useful measurement for diagnosing and monitoring nephrotic syndrome, as it normalizes protein excretion to creatinine excretion, accounting for variations in urine concentration
- A ratio of greater than 300-350 mg/mmol indicates nephrotic range proteinuria, which is a key feature of nephrotic syndrome 1
- Other signs and symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include hypoalbuminemia, edema, and hyperlipidemia
- The diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome is typically made based on a combination of clinical features, laboratory tests, and renal biopsy 1