Screening for proteinuria in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus.
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.
Guthrie
R M
RM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Lott
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000652:urine; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D011934:Reagent Strips