SERUM AND URINE ALBUMIN - A PROGRESS REPORT ON THEIR MEASUREMENT AND CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE

For about 25 years, bromcresol green and bromcresol purple have been t he basis for most of the measurements of serum albumin in the US and p erhaps in the world. The longevity of the methods is due to their bein g simple, sensitive, specific, inexpensive and relatively free from in terferences. The lack of change in the serum albumin methodology is ba lanced by two important developments. First, the recognition of the im portance of serum albumin in the maintenance of good health, and the a ssociation of decreased concentrations with increased risk of morbidit y and mortality. Second, the association of albuminuria with diabetic nephropathy, which without medical intervention could lead to end-stag e renal disease. The development of accurate and precise methods for u rinary albumin has provided a tool to physicians to extend the length and improve the quality of life of many diabetic individuals. Copyrigh t (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.