Abstract: There is provided a method of determining whether a subject belongs to a first or a second group of subjects, wherein the risk of having or developing of a renal impairment is higher in the first group than in the second group, comprising the steps of: a) measuring an amount of fibulin 1 in a sample from the subject to obtain a sample value; b) comparing the sample value to a reference value; and if the sample value is higher than the reference value, c1) concluding that the subject belongs to the first group; and if the sample value is lower than the reference value, c2) concluding that the subject belongs to the second group, wherein the sample is an optionally modified sample derived from urine or blood, such as an optionally diluted serum or plasma sample. Associated means are also provided.

Abstract: In the present disclosure, there is provided a method for improving the immunodetectability of at least one protein in an optionally diluted sample of blood, serum or plasma, comprising a step of heating the sample to a temperature of 64-85° C. prior to a contact between the sample and at least one affinity ligand for detection and/or quantification of the at least one protein.