Note that this guidance excludes pregnancy, and nephrotic level proteinuria (>3.5g/d, protein/creatinine ratio >300mg/mmol). Both of these require investigation in their own right. Nephrotic level proteinuria usually requires renal biopsy to establish the cause, unless this is immediately evident.
Persistent proteinuria is abnormal and implies intrinsic renal disease.
Check separate samples including early morning to establish that the finding is consistent.
Check these by measuring PCR or ACR (protein/creatinine or albumin/creatinine ratio), as concentrated samples may give positive results on dipstick tests (but not usually more than 1+) even in health, and as a measure of severity.
Exclude:
Assess history, blood pressure, renal function, seek evidence for diabetes mellitus (random blood glucose and glycosylated Hb).
The presence of the following increase the likelihood of significant renal disease, and indicate that further nephrological investigations are appropriate:
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What could be causing the proteinuria? Almost any renal disease, or any type of renal injury, can cause proteinuria. Glomerular diseases are always responsible for heavy proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome), and lesser proteinuria may therefore be an early sign of these. However it may also be seen in people with tubulointerstitial renal disease, and in those with vascular renal injury from atherosclerosis or possibly longstanding hypertertension. What is the significance of proteinuria? In the absence of features predisposing to renal disease, the risk of serious pathology is related to the level of proteinuria. Low levels or intermittent proteinuria can be managed by regular (6-12 monthly) monitoring of urine testing, blood pressure, and serum creatinine. How should it be managed? Because of the association of proteinuria with progression of renal injury, rigorous attention to blood pressure control is strongly recommended if renal function is impaired (see information on blood pressure in renal disease). When should patients be referred for further investigation? The new development or worsening of any of the risk factors for intrinsic renal disease indicates that nephrological assessment is appropriate. |
Patient information on proteinuria is available from EdRenINFO, our web pages containing information about kidney diseases for patients, doctors and all medical staff. Patient info on nephrotic syndrome is also available.
Proteinuria from the EdRenHANDBOOK covers use of spot urine sample values to substitute for some 24 hour collections. Handbook information is aimed primarily at hospital doctors and concerns immediate management of renal problems.
UK CKD eGuide
Contact us at renal@ed.ac.uk if you would like to comment on the content of these pages. This page was updated in February 2002 and
