ALBUMIN-TO-CREATININE RATIO (ACR)

The Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (¹$\text{ACR}$) is a highly sensitive and commonly used test to screen for early signs of kidney damage. It is performed on a urine sample and is often included in routine checkups for individuals at risk of kidney disease.

The ACR test is a primary screening tool because it can detect kidney damage years before a drop in the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) or an elevation in serum creatinine is observed.

• Early Detection: Detecting albuminuria is critical for individuals with diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure), as these conditions are the leading causes of kidney disease.¹¹
• Risk Assessment: Albuminuria is also an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke).