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Screening for proteinuria in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Background:
Proteinuria is an early indication of renal disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of dipstick urinalysis in patients with chronic diseases including hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
Methods:
At a university family practice center, patients without urinary tract disorders underwent dipstick urinalysis.
Results:
Of the 796 patients evaluated, increased proteinuria, possibly indicating early renal disease, was detected in 4% of healthy patients, 16% of patients with hypertension, 29% of patients with diabetes, and 53% of patients with both hypertension and diabetes. A higher incidence of proteinuria was found among African American patients with hypertension or diabetes or both than among white patients.
Conclusions:
Regular dipstick evaluation for proteinuria may be indicated in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus or both, particularly African American patients with these disorders.