Microhematuria. Prevalence, test validity and clinical usefulness
Mandalari, A.; Zoccali, C.
Giornale Italiano di Nefrologia Organo Ufficiale Della Societa Italiana di Nefrologia 21(2): 165-170
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0393-5590 PMID: 15351951 Document Number: 582877
The dipstick test is the most sensitive test for microhematuria screening. In the general population asymptomatic microhematuria is not rare. In terms of clinical presentation hematuria can be classified in a double temporal dimension, i.e. according to the age of the patients and to its time course (resolution vs. persistence). In isolated microhematuria, red cells morphology is useful to establish the site of hematuria (glomerular vs. non glomerular). This is important mostly because in older patients this alteration may underlie a genito-urinary cancer. Microhematuria is probably one of the most sought for clinical signs of urinary diseases. It is fundamental that this clinical sign be always interpreted in a context considering other symptoms and clinical data.