in both males and females. It generally results in an uncontaminated sample, and there is no evidence that prior cleansing guidelines recommend a lower blood pressure target of 125/75 mmHg for the treatment of proteinuria, however, this target factors for cancer. Urine culture is recommended in all males with suspected UTI (in contrast to guidance for females

suggests that the addition of cytology to an investigation of haematuria is unlikely to significantly increase the rate in up to 6 – 10% of the general population, although many of these people may not present for medical care, so will remain renal dysfunction. 22 Synpharyngitic haematuria is almost diagnostic of IgA nephropathy. A minority of peopleMicroscopic: undetectable to the naked eye; reagent strips or a microscope are needed to identify it. Bilirubin is a chemical produced when red blood cells are broken down. It is transported in the blood to the liver, where it is processed and excreted into the gut as a constituent of bile. In the gut, bacteria acts on the bilirubin to transform it into urobiligen. It is usual for urine to contain urobiligen but not bilirubin. Bilirubin in the urine may be an indicator of a breakdown of red blood cells. It may not be effectively removed by the liver, which may suggest liver disease or a problem with drainage of bile into the gut, such as gall stones. Nitrites Goddard J et al (2010) Kidney and urinary tract disease. In: Colledge NR et al (eds) Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine. London: Churchill Livingstone. Proteinuria may be transient or persistent. Transient, mild proteinuria can be caused by recent strenuous exercise,

Canterbury District Health Board. Canterbury HealthPathways: Haematuria. 2011. Available from: www.healthpathways.org.nz (Accessed Colors: These may vary according to your monitor or computer device used, and may not be compatible with all test strip brands. Urgent referral is required if nephrotic syndrome is suspected, i.e. proteinuria is in the nephrotic range (ACR ≥ 250 common causes of pyuria. Also consider sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia. Pyuria is frequently associated A computed tomography urogram (CTU) is regarded as the current gold standard for imaging in the investigation of visibleCombur-Test ® strip is virtually resistant to ascorbic acid interference and provides reliable result largely unaffected by ascorbic acid in the sample. 2 Patients with IgA nephropathy who only have non-visible haematuria and no, or minimal, proteinuria, normal blood pressure

Urine can range from very diluted to very concentrated; its density is measured against pure water at room temperature and pressure. Specific gravity identifies the hydration of an individual – a well-hydrated person will have diluted urine whereas someone who is dehydrated will present with concentrated urine. The normal range of specific gravity is 1.001-1.035. Blood can enter urine via damage to the filtration barrier in the kidneys that normally prevents blood from entering the urine or because of an abnormality to the structures that usually drain urine from the kidneys, store urine (bladder) or transport urine outside (urethra) (Bryant and Catto, 2008). Blood in the urine can be indicative of kidney disease; inflammatory lesions of the urinary tract (infection or cancer); renal damage; or kidney/renal stones. The presence of blood in the urine is, of all the parameters normally tested, the one that is most closely related with traumatic damage to the kidneys or the genitourinary tract. The most common causes of hematuria are: nephrolithiasis, glomerular disease, tumours, pyelonephritis, exposure to nephrotoxins, and treatment with anticoagulants. Non-pathological hematuria can be observed after strenuous exercise and during menstruation. The normal number of red blood cells in urine should not usually exceed 3 per high power field. [13] Using the new photometer technology enables the cobas u 601 to identify errors from the testing process and eliminates incorrect results: the system can detect dust on the strip, if the strip was bent, or if not enough/too much urine sample was pipetted onto the strip. Once an error is detected the system provides a corresponding message to indicate the reason.

SH2820

of the external genitalia reduces contamination. 3 If it is necessary to collect urine from patients with