Blood In Urine - What

is the Connection with

Chronic Kidney Disease?

Hematuria is defined as blood in the urine. The

most common causes of blood in the urine are
stones or bladder infections. Microscopic
hematuria is commonly defined as the presence of
three or more RBCs per high-power field in a spun
urine sediment. The question is whether microscopic hematuria that
persists over time is linked to kidney disease.

In a retrospective cohort study published in the American Journal of

Kidney Diseases, researchers examined data for 232,220 Korean adults
who did not have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at baseline. They
specifically looked at whether persistent or one-time episodes of
microscopic hematuria and the development of CKD.

The researchers did measurements of hematuria on 2 occasions, 1.7

years apart. They categorized participants into 4 groups:
1. no hematuria at both examinations (reference group)
2. hematuria followed by no hematuria (regressed hematuria group)

3. no hematuria followed by hematuria (developed hematuria group)

4. hematuria at both examinations (persistent hematuria)

The study had a 4.8-year median follow-up. During this time, 2,392
participants developed CKD. Looking at the data, the hazard ratio for
developing CKD was as follows in the 3 groups:

1. HR 1.85 for the regressed group (hematuria followed by no

hematuria)

2. HR 3.18 for the developed group (no hematuria followed by

hematuria)

3. HR 5.23 for the persistent group (hematuria at both examinations)

Interestingly, the association of CKD was stronger in men than women.

This raises the importance of always following up with your doctor if
you have hematuria.