Prevalence and risk factors for dipstick microscopic haematuria
Dipstick +ve microscopic haematuria is common. It is known to occur in 5-10% of the normal population. The cause is not known.
This study (in men) by Courtemanche (2019) is a simple but useful one. We have summarised the abstract and study.
Background
Microscopic haematuria is a common incidental finding on routine urinalysis. The aim of this study was to identify associated factors and prevalence of dipstick microscopic haematuria in the general male population presenting to an annual public men’s health fair.
Methods
The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data at an annual Men’s Health fair from 2008 to 2013. A patient reported health questionnaire, physical examination including digital rectal exam, routine blood tests and a dipstick urinalysis, were carried out.
Results
A total of 979 patients were studied. Of these, 850 provided a urine sample and were included in the final analysis. Seventy-three (8.6%) patients had positive haematuria on urinalysis. Average age in both groups was 55 years. Presence of microscopic haematuria was correlated with presence of diabetes and proteinuria with odds-ratio of 2.8 and 2.9 respectively on multivariate analysis.
There was no significant correlation identified with age, hypertension, coronary artery disease, body-mass index, smoking, prostate specific antigen (PSA) or International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).
Conclusion
Microscopic haematuria is a common condition in the male population presenting to a health fair. The only risk factors associated with microscopic haematuria were diabetes and proteinuria. No association was found between haematuria and smoking, age, or lower urinary tract symptoms. The cause is not known. It could be due to some form of low grade chronic glomerulonephritis. It could be a normal variant.
