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The value of urine screening in a young adult population

Peter S Topham1, Ashok Jethwa, Maggie Watkins

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK. Peter.Topham@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

Family Practice
|February 5, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Routine urine screening for haematuria (blood in urine) or proteinuria (protein in urine) in young adults is not recommended. However, the combined presence of both indicates significant kidney disease, warranting further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Urology
  • General Practice

Background:

  • General practitioners (GPs) in England and Wales routinely screen newly registered patients using urinalysis.
  • The clinical utility of this widespread screening practice remains uncertain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of persistent urine abnormalities in young adults.
  • To assess the added value of screening for haematuria and proteinuria in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of university students underwent dipstick urinalysis for haematuria and/or proteinuria over two years.
  • Persistent urine abnormalities identified through screening were further evaluated for significant renal tract pathology.

Main Results:

  • Out of 3808 students screened, 38 (1%) exhibited persistent urine abnormalities.
  • Isolated haematuria or proteinuria did not correlate with significant pathology.
  • All students presenting with both haematuria and proteinuria were found to have identifiable renal disease.

Conclusions:

  • Routine screening for isolated haematuria or proteinuria in young adults lacks demonstrated value.
  • The concurrent presence of haematuria and proteinuria is a strong indicator of parenchymal renal disease.
  • Testing for haematuria is recommended if proteinuria is detected during screening.
Abstract

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