Evaluation of Microalbuminuria in Patients with Urinary Tract Infection

Background: Urinary tract infection is a collective term for infections that involve any part of the urinary tract. It is one of the most common infections in local primary care. There are wide range of factors identified that can increase susceptibility to UTI, like sexual intercourse, congenital abnormalities, urinary obstruction, prior history of UTI, diabetes, urogenital surgery, estrogen deficiency. Diabetes mellitus has been a significant risk factor for complicated UTI. Presence of microalbumin in urine in patients of urinary tract infection may be a predictor of intrinsic renal pathology and its presence is a predictor of ongoing progressive damage to kidneys. Microalbuminuria is also associated with cardiovascular events and diabetic nephropathy. Early diagnosis of microalbuminuria will decrease the incidence of end stage renal disease and cardiovascular events. The present study was thus conducted to evaluate prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients diagnosed with urinary tract infections.Material & Methods:The present hospital based case control study was conducted on 60 patients visiting the outpatient clinic (OPD) of Department of Urology, Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala and diagnosed with UTI and the control group consisted of 20 age and gender matched individuals. Estimation of urine microalbumin was done by Enyme linked immunoassay(ELISA) kit method in Department of Biochemistry, GMC Patiala.Results:Out of 60 cases of UTI included in the present study, prevalence of microalbuminuria was observed in 43.3% among cases of UTI . A total of 85% of the cases with positive urine culture had microalbuminuria (p<0.01).Conclusions:Microalbuminuria and ACR can be recommended for predicting ESRD at an early stage of kidney disease.