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Published on: April 1, 2015
[The clinico-pathological significance of hematuria in diabetics]
N Matsumura1, M Hanatani, T Nishino
1First Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Japan.
Insights
Glomerular hematuria in diabetes mellitus patients often signals advanced diabetic nephropathy or coexisting glomerulonephritis. This finding highlights the importance of monitoring for kidney complications in diabetic individuals.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Diabetology
- Pathology
Context:
- Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.
- Glomerular hematuria is a potential indicator of renal pathology.
- Understanding its significance in diabetic patients is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose:
- To investigate the clinical and pathological significance of glomerular hematuria in patients with diabetes mellitus.
- To correlate the presence of glomerular hematuria with diabetic nephropathy severity and other renal complications.
Summary:
- A clinico-pathological study of 154 diabetes mellitus patients identified glomerular hematuria in 16.9%.
- Patients with glomerular hematuria exhibited significantly higher rates of diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, massive proteinuria, insulin therapy, elevated serum creatinine, and advanced histological lesions.
- These findings suggest glomerular hematuria indicates advanced diabetic nephropathy or concurrent primary glomerulonephritis.
Impact:
- Highlights glomerular hematuria as a key indicator for advanced kidney disease in diabetic patients.
- Emphasizes the need for thorough renal evaluation in diabetic patients presenting with hematuria.
- Informs clinical practice regarding the early detection and management of diabetic nephropathy and associated glomerulonephritis.
Abstract:
A clinico-pathological study was performed on 154 patients with diabetes mellitus to clarify the significance of glomerular hematuria. Glomerular hematuria was observed in 26 patients (16.9%), of whom 10 had complications of IgA glomerulonephritis and one had membranous nephropathy. The remaining patients (143 cases) were divided into two groups; a hematuria group (15 cases) and a non-hematuria group (128 cases). Patients in the hematuria group showed diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, massive proteinuria and the requirement for insulin therapy more often than those in the non-hematuria group (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the serum creatinine level in the hematuria group was significantly elevated compared to that in the non-hematuria group (p < 0.01). Histologically, patients in the hematuria group exhibited advanced diffuse lesions, nodular lesions, exudative lesions, microaneurysms, crescent formation, capsular adhesion and interstitial lesions more often than those in the non-hematuria group (all, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the vascular index in the hematuria group was significantly higher than that in the non-hematuria group (p < 0.001). It is suggested that glomerular hematuria in diabetic patients indicates the presence of diabetic nephropathy at an advanced stage or coexistence of primary glomerulonephritis.
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