How to find a prognostic biomarker for progressive diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

As a prognostic biomarker for progression of diabetic nephropathy, albuminuria fails in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Better urinary or plasma biomarkers are needed that can predict which diabetic patients are at highest risk for progression. Bhensdadia et al. report proteomic investigations that identified urinary haptoglobin as a potential prognostic biomarker for progressive diabetic nephropathy. Although as a single marker urinary haptoglobin adds little to albuminuria, together the two appear to provide better diagnostic accuracy than albuminuria alone. © 2013 International Society of Nephrology.