history and examination in proteinuria

Last reviewed 09/2021

The important points to note in the history taking and the examination of a patient with proteinuria include:

• in the history:
• enquiry should include Hx of previous urinary tract infections, renal disease, skin disease, drugs, e.g. analgesics, sore throat, family history of renal disease, occupational history

• in the examination:
• look for features of nephrotic syndrome, heart failure, hypertension, uraemia
• examine for enlarged kidneys
• postural proteinuria - patients do not have proteinuria when lying down - thus an early morning sample of urine is negative for protein