E-Posters-Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria in Women: Review Article

Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria in Women: Review Article - Gisele V Marquini, MD

Pdf Summary

This review article focuses on asymptomatic microscopic hematuria (AMH) in women. AMH is an important clinical sign of urinary tract malignancy and has been defined as three or more red blood cells per high power field in the absence of infection. The authors conducted a literature review to identify recommended guidelines for approaching AMH in women. From 14 studies, they found that about two-thirds of women with hematuria in one examination will not present with it in another during their lifetime, often due to contamination by factors such as menstruation, fever, infection, urinary tract injury, and physical exercise. Risk factors for AMH in women include current smoking, a history of pelvic radiation, and a history of nephrolithiasis. The initial steps to assess hematuria are a medical history and physical examination, followed by distinguishing between glomerular and non-glomerular hematuria. The main causes of glomerular hematuria in women are IgA nephropathy, thin glomerular membrane disease, and hereditary glomerulonephritis, while malignant neoplasia, nephrolithiasis, cystitis, urethritis, and other non-glomerular bleeding causes can be diagnosed through imaging examinations. The authors recommend utilizing computed tomography for evaluating lithiasis, and patients with risk factors for bladder cancer should undergo urinary cytology testing or cystoscopy. The prevalence of urinary tract malignancy is approximately 1.4%, and the authors encourage organizations to produce future guidelines on the evaluation and recommendations for AMH in women.

Keywords

asymptomatic microscopic hematuria

urinary tract malignancy

red blood cells

infection

risk factors

glomerular hematuria

nephrolithiasis

cystitis

imaging examinations

bladder cancer