RESUMO
Introduction: Viral hepatitis, either acute or chronic, may lead to nephropathies as one of its multiple extrahepatic complications which often remain clinically silent for a long period and are overlooked. Proteinuria can be a useful tool for early detection of the underlying renal impairment. This study was undertaken to detect the presence of proteinuria and to assess and compare the level of proteinuria in HAV and HEV- infected cases; the two most common causes of acute hepatitis in Bangladesh. Method: For this 100 diagnosed patients of HAV & HEV (50 each) hepatitis were screened for isolated proteinuria in a random spot urine sample during their 3rd to 4th post-ecteric follow ups. Result: 43% HAV and 45% HEV patients had high spot urinary protein with maximum incidence (54 %) occurring in 3rd decades of life. The pattern of isolated proteinuria was significantly different in HAV vs HEV cases. The mean ± SD value of spot urinary protein of HEV females was significantly higher than that of HAV where highest rate (64%) of mild proteinuria was observed in HAV and maximum number (46%) of moderate proteinuria in HEV patients. Conclusion: Spot urinary protein concentration should be checked quantitatively in every HEV as well as HAV- hepatitis patient even when clinically improved.