Prevalence of asymptomatic urinary abnormalities among students of a university – A cross sectional study

 

Hemanth Kumar S R^1*, Mallikarjan S Khanpet², Apoorva E Patel³

 

 

Abstract              Background and Objectives: An abnormal urinary testy may be the earliest warning of a significant renal pathology. With the aid of routine Dipstick examinations, early symptoms of diseases of the kidneys and the urinary tract (pyuria, hematuria and proteinuria) can be identified. The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic urinary abnormalities, which will help to prevent the progression of the same into Chronic Kidney Disease or to postpone the need for renal replacement and other abnormalities of the urinary system. Methodology: The present one year cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum. A total of 849 undergraduate Medical and Dental students studying at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum and KLES V. K Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum during January 2016 to December 2016 were included. Urine samples were collected in sterile wide mouthed containers and tested using Dipsticks. The color change on the Dipstick due to chemical reactions was compared to standard chart and results were interpreted and the abnormalities were analyzed. Results: Of the 849 students, 320(37.69%) were males and 529(62.31%) were females. Majority of the students were aged around 20 years old. A total of 79 (9.31%) students had asymptomatic urinary abnormalities. 51(6.01%) students had proteinuria, 18(2.12%) had hematuria and Nitrituria was seen in 10(1.18%) female students. Proteinuria (6.42% v/s 5.31%) and hematuria (2.27% v/s 1.88%) were more common in females. Interpretation and Conclusion: Overall, in the present study there was a significantly higher prevalence of asymptomatic urinary abnormalities among apparently healthy young adults. The students who had urinary abnormalities need further evaluation in detail.

Key Words: Asymptomatic urinary abnormalities, Proteinuria, Hematuria, Pyuria, Nitrituria.