Evaluation of renal damage by urinary beta-trace protein in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Beta-trace protein (BTP) was found to be increased in the serum and urine of patients with renal diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the urinary levels of beta-trace protein with levels of other urinary proteins: albumin, beta2-microglobulin (B2M), alpha1-microglobulin (A1M), and cystatin C and to determine its clinical usefulness for detection of renal dysfunction in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: These markers were measured in 24-hour urine samples from 134 patients with CKD.