Assessment of the Urinary Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease CKD represents a major global health burden characterized by progressive renal decline and elevated cardiovascular risks. Proteinuria remains a fundamental indicator of renal injury severity and disease progression. Recently, the urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio UPCR has emerged as a practical, accurate alternative to 24-hour urine collection. Its clinical prominence has grown following recent KDIGO guidelines advocating spot urine samples for monitoring, driven by UPCR's strong correlation with renal impairment and glomerular damage.

This study evaluated UPCR levels in CKD patients to determine their relationship with disease stage and demographic variables. Results demonstrated that UPCR elevates progressively alongside advancing CKD stages. Additionally, UPCR levels were significantly higher in females compared to males, though no statistically significant correlation with age was observed. These findings underscore the utility of UPCR as a simple, effective laboratory marker for assessing proteinuria and monitoring patients, aligning with current evidence supporting its reliability in routine clinical practice.