Urine test for CAD

A simple urine test that looks for particular protein expressions can detect coronary artery disease with 90% accuracy.

The test – developed by scientists at the University of Glasgow – detects biomarkers associated with the disease and could assist in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). It could also find a use in monitoring its progress and the efficacy of treatment.

“This test brings us closer to the goal of personalised medicine, where simple analysis of an individual’s proteome can help diagnose specific conditions and inform and monitor treatment,” said Professor Harald Mischak from the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences at the University, “It may enable us to see dynamic changes in the body on a molecular level, and align treatment individually to the patient’s need.”

In developing the test, researchers analysed 586 urine samples from 408 individuals and identified a pattern of 238 polypeptide proteins which indicated coronary artery disease. They then looked for these patterns in 138 individuals – 71 with coronary artery disease and 67 healthy volunteers – and were able to identify those with the disease with 90% accuracy.

They also used the test to see how effective it could be in monitoring short- and long-term treatment of CAD. Patients were given Irbesartan – an antiotensin II receptor blocker – for either 10 weeks or two years. Those in the long-term group experienced a significant decrease in the disease specific biomarker pattern.

“This new method may well be suited not only for detection but also for monitoring disease, and assessing the effects of therapy,” Mischak said, “The biomarker pattern we used is an advancement of already existing  and testing biomarkers.”

The researchers will now conduct futher clinical studies of this biomarker approach to CAD diagnosis. It is also hoped that similar tests could be developed for other chronic diseases such as diabetes and its complications, or chronic kidney disease.