PROTEINURIA - RISK FACTORS

Hypertension and diabetes are the two biggest risk factors for proteinuria. Age and weight gain also increase the risk. The following conditions are the other causes of proteinuria:

1. Primary kidney diseases called glomerulonephritis

2. Autoimmune diseases ( eg systemic lupus erythematosus- SLE)

3. Infection (eg hepatitis)

4. Cancers

5. Medications

6. Obesity

PROTEINURIA - SYMPTOMS

Patients usually are asymptomatic if the degree of proteinuria is very mild. As more protein leaks out, patients typically complain of foamy or frothy urine. Some patients may describe that as having bubbles in the urine. This occurs because protein changes the surface tension between urine and water.

If the lost in protein via the urine is in large quantities (more than 3g/day), a patient may developed nephrotic syndrome and may complain of swelling of legs, abdominal distension and shortness of breath.

PROTEINURIA - PROGNOSIS AND NATURAL COURSE

Some cases of proteinuria can remain stable for many months and years. However, proteinuria may get more heavy in some cases and cause further kidney injury resulting in kidney failure. This is especially so if it is associated with high blood pressure and diabetes and when the proteinuria is rather heavy (more than 1 gram/day).

The higher the proteinuria, the greater the risk of developing into the advanced stages of chronic kidney disease resulting in kidney failure.

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Expert Author:

Dr Roger Tan, Consultant Nephrologist