Definition And Detection Of Proteinuria Essay

The dipstick test (or the dip-and-read analysis) is the use of a specially treated strip to semi-quantitatively determine the amount of protein (mainly albumin) in a urine sample. In the absence of protein, the dipstick panel is yellow. Proteins in solution interfere with the dye indicator-buffer combination, causing the panel to turn green. Tetrabromophenol is the dye indicator that is commonly used. The buffer serves to maintain a pH of 3.0. The change in colour is independent on the pH of urine. The results are graded as negative (less than 10 mg per dL), trace (10 to 20 mg per dL), 1+ (30 mg per dL), 2+ (100 mg per dL), 3+ (300 mg per dL) or 4+ (1,000 mg per dL).Definition And Detection Of Proteinuria Essay.  This method preferentially detects albumin and is less sensitive to other proteins(Schrier and Gottschalk 1996)

Proteinuria is classified either according to severity or according to pathophysiology. For the severity classification, there are five types, distinguished by the amount of protein in milligrams (mg) measured during a 24-hour urine collection. The values below are for an adult:

Proteinuria occurring in glomerular disease is due to increased filtration of albumin and other big protein molecules across the glomerular basement membrane, which is due to a change in both the charge selectivity and size selectivity of the glomerular barrier. Normally, the glomerular barrier is negatively charged, and this repels the negatively charged plasma albumin, thereby preventing the excretion of albumin. In glomerular damage, however, the negative charge on the membrane is significantly lost and more albumin than normal is filtered. (Hall 2002).

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Low molecular weight protein molecules are easily filtered across the basement membrane and then completely reabsorbed by the proximal tubular cells. Tubular proteinuria is as a result of diseases that cause tubular and interstitial injury. Some glomerular diseases can cause this injury; hence tubular proteinuria can be a result of glomerular disease. The dipstick method of measuring proteinuria is not sensitive to low molecular weight proteins; rather direct assay is used to measure micro molecules(NKF/DOQI 2002). Definition And Detection Of Proteinuria Essay.

Proteinuria is common in the adult population and its clinical significance can vary widely. A clear diagnostic process is needed to identify the cause of the findings and guide the treatment decisions.

A dipstick test is often the first indicator of proteinuria and the extent of protein in the urine can be further investigated with a 24-hour urine collection test. If the results are positive, other diagnostic tests may be required to establish the cause of proteinuria and aid in the management of the condition. Referral to a nephrologist may also be needed in some cases.

Presenting Symptoms

In most cases, mild to moderate proteinuria does not precipitate symptoms and many patients may be diagnosed with proteinuria by way of a routine testing to evaluate general health or conditions such as hypertension or diabetes.

Some patients may notice that their urine is more frothy than usual and more severe cases may be associated with edema, ascites, hydroceles and pleural effusions. Definition And Detection Of Proteinuria Essay.

Normal Urinary Protein Excretion

Healthy adults usually excrete between 80 and 150 mg of protein in their urine each day, including serum globulins and albumin. This is quite low because larger proteins are not able to pass through the glomerular membrane into the kidney and the majority of those that do are reabsorbed into the blood stream in the proximal tubule.

However, in some cases there may be an abnormality in the function of the glomerulus, proximal tubule or production of proteins, leading to the presence of excess protein in the urine.

Clinical proteinuria is classified as 0.5 g of protein or more excreted in a 24-hour period or with an albumin:creatinine ratio of 30 mg/mmol or more.

Dipstick Test

The urine dipstick test can be used as an initial indicator of the presence of protein in the urine and renal disease as it is a simple and easy test to conduct. It involves a single urine sample, which is immediately analyzed for the presence of certain substances (including protein such as albumin) that may be indicative of renal disease.

As many as 17% of the adult population will have positive findings from the dipstick test, but less than 2% will have a condition that requires treatment.

Given the high rate of false positives, if mild to moderate proteinuria is detected with a dipstick test, the test may be repeated in 2-3 weeks to monitor the protein concentration. Definition And Detection Of Proteinuria Essay/ If severe proteinuria is detected, or a second test proves to be positive, further diagnostic testing is required.

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24-Hour Urine Collection Test

Proteinuria is usually diagnosed by measuring the quantity of protein in urinary excretion in a 24-hour period. This test involves the collection of all urine excrete over a complete day, which is then analyzed for the quantity of protein.

Although the testing period can begin at any time, most patients start in the morning. The bladder should be emptied completed at the beginning of the time (with no sample taken) and from that point, the urine should be collected in containers every time the individual goes to the toilet.Definition And Detection Of Proteinuria Essay.  This continues until exactly 24-hours after the start time, when the final sample should be taken.

It is important that the urine samples are kept cool place such as the refrigerator until the conclusion of the collection period, when they should be sent to a laboratory for testing.

In otherwise healthy people, the excretion of more than 500-1000 mg of protein in a 24-hour period may be indicative an abnormality in the function of the kidneys. This may warrant further investigation, such as a blood analysis or kidney biopsy. If more than 2 g of protein is excreted within 24 hours, the patient is likely to have glomerular malfunction.

Protein:Creatinine Ratio

Proteinuria can also be diagnosed with a single urine sample by calculating the protein:creatinine ratio.

When the kidneys are functioning normally, they remove creatinine from the blood to keep the levels in the blood and urine in balance. The ratio of the protein to creatinine in the urine sample is a good indicator of the quantity of protein that is excreted in a 24-hour period and can, therefore, be used in the diagnostic process. An individual that excretes more than 30 mg of albumin for every g of creatinine is considered to have proteinuria. Definition And Detection Of Proteinuria Essay.