Persistent proteinuria in asymptomatic individuals: renal biopsy studies

The usefulness of renal biopsy in investigating persistent asymptomatic proteinuria was assessed by a study of 87 out 1245 adults referred for pre-employment medical examination and individuals proposing to take life insurance policies. Out of these 87 persons with initial proteinuria on dipstik test, 25 were found to have persistent asymptomatic proteinuria. Unequivocal abnormalities were seen on light microscopy in 15 of the 25 specimens of renal tissues examined. Focal proliferative glomerulonephritis was the commonest abnormality, being present in 7 out of 15 renal tissues. Overall, 12 persons subsequently developed hypertension. Glomerulonephritis as a cause of asymptomatic proteinuria in the tropics has not been studied in detail; this study suggests that it may be an important cause of renal hypertension. Renal biopsy is an important procedure in evaluating glomerular disease in asymptomatic proteinuria which may subsequently cause hypertensive renal disease.