Urinalysis is often part of an initial data base for case work up of a clinically ill patient.

It is a very useful indicator and can provide information on the patient's:

carbohydrate metabolism,

kidney and liver function,

and acid-base balance.

A urinalysis typically is accompanied by a complete blood count and or a screening of chemical panel for complete interpretation of the serum chemistries.

When properly performed, the urinalysis is an enormously powerful tool. This simple set of tests remains a key element for the laboratory data base for every patient admitted to the hospital. It is also a key screening test for the diagnosis of many common diseases such as diabetes.

AnuriaComplete suppression of urinary excretion by the kidneys BacteriuriaBacteria in urine due to urinary tract infection. Bacteriuria is considered significant (pathogenic) by most physicians when cultures show the present of 105 (100,000) or more bacteria per milliliter (mL) of urine when culturing a midstream specimen.

BilirubinuriaThe presence of bilirubin in urine Functional proteinuriaIncreased amount of protein excreted in the urine in association with high temperature, exposure to heat or cold, emotional stress and from excessive exercise. This type of proteinuria is due to renal vasoconstriction.

GlycosuriaAbnormal amounts of glucose in urine (also known as glucosuria) HematuriaThe presence of intact red blood cells in the urine HemoglobinuriaPresence of hemoglobin in urine that could be due to infection such as malaria or even incompatible transfusion

KetonuriaThe presence of ketone bodies in urine. Ketone bodies found in urine are acetone, diacetic acid (aceto-acetic acid) and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. NocturiaSecretion of more than 500 mL or urine at night with specific gravity less than 1.018 OliguriaDecreased secretion of urine

PolyuriaIncreased secretion of urine

Proteinuria (albuminuria)An abnormal or increased amount of protein, predominately in the form of albumin, in urine

All routine urinalysis should begin with a physical examination of the urine sample. This examination includes assessment of volume, odor, and appearance (color and turbidity).

Volume Urinary volume is dependent upon fluid intake; amount of solutes to be excreted, primarily sodium and urea; loss of body fluids by normal processes, such as perspiration and respiration, and abnormal processes, such as diarrhea; and cardiovascular and renal function. Although the volume of a random specimen is clinically insignificant, the volume of specimen received should be recorded for purposes of documentation and standardization.

ODOR

Non-pathological, fresh urine has an inoffensive odor.

Appearance (color and turbidity) ColorThe color of urine is related, to a large degree, by its degree of concentration. The color of non-pathological urine varies widely from colorless to deep yellow; the more concentrated the urine, the deeper the color. The color of urine is usually described after visual inspection with common color terms.

Urine Color The color of urine can vary from almost colorless to black. Normal urine may show color variation ranging from pale yellow to deep amber. Urine color is typically a result of the degradation of the heme molecule into a urinary pigment called urochrome.. Urobilin is produced from the oxidation of urobilinogen and results in an orange-brown color to urine that is not fresh.

Two other pigments contributing to the color of urine are uroerythrin and urobilin. Uroerythrin is usually associated with amorphous urates in a refrigerated sample causing the sample to exhibit a pink coloration

Dietary pigments, drugs, and their metabolites and various other abnormal substances may also contribute to the coloration of the urine sample.

TurbidityNormally freshly voided urine is clear. When urine is allowed to stand, amorphous crystals, usually urates, may precipitate and cause urine to be cloudy. The turbidity of urine should always be recorded and microscopically explained.

Red Blood Cells Hematuria is the presence of abnormal numbers of red cells in urine due to: glomerular damage, tumors which erode the urinary tract anywhere along its length, kidney trauma, urinary tract stones, renal infarcts, acute tubular necrosis, upper and lower urinary tract infections, nephrotoxins, and physical stress.

Red cells may also contaminate the urine from the vagina in menstruating women or from trauma produced by bladder cauterization. Theoretically, no red cells should be found, but some find their way into the urine even in very healthy individuals. However, if one or more red cells can be found in every high power field, and if contamination can be ruled out, the specimen is probably abnormal

White Blood Cells Pyuria refers to the presence of abnormal numbers of leukocytes that may appear with infection in either the upper or lower urinary tract or with acute glomerulonephritis. Usually, the WBC's are granulocytes.

White cells from the vagina, especially in the presence of vaginal and cervical infections, or the external urethral meatus in men and women may contaminate the urine. If two or more leukocytes per each high power field appear in non-contaminated urine, the specimen is probably abnormal. Leukocytes have lobed nuclei and granular cytoplasm.

Epithelial Cells Renal tubular epithelial cells, usually larger than granulocytes, contain a large round or oval nucleus and normally slough into the urine in small numbers. However, with nephrotic syndrome and in conditions leading to tubular degeneration, the number sloughed is increased.

Bacteria Bacteria are common in urine specimens because of the abundant normal microbial flora of the vagina or external urethral meatus and because of their ability to rapidly multiply in urine standing at room temperature. Therefore, microbial organisms found in all but the most scrupulously collected urines should be interpreted in view of clinical symptoms.

Diagnosis of bacteriuria in a case of suspected urinary tract infection requires culture. A colony count may also be done to see if significant numbers of bacteria are present.

Generally, more than 100,000/ml of one organism reflects significant bacteriuria. Multiple organisms reflect contamination. However, the presence of any organism in catheterized or suprapubic tap specimens should be considered significant.

Yeasts Yeast cells may be contaminants or represent a true yeast infection. They are often difficult to distinguish from red cells and amorphous crystals but are distinguished by their tendency to bud. Most often they are Candida, which may colonize bladder, urethra, or vagina.

Crystals Common crystals seen even in healthy patients include calcium oxalate, triple phosphate crystals and amorphous phosphates. Very uncommon crystals include: cystine crystals in urine of neonates with congenital cystinuria or severe liver disease, tyrosine crystals with congenital tyrosinosis or marked liver impairment, or leucine crystals in patients with severe liver disease or with maple syrup urine disease.

Summary To summarize, a properly collected clean-catch, midstream urine after cleansing of the urethral meatus is adequate for complete urinalysis. In fact, these specimens generally suffice even for urine culture. A period of dehydration may precede urine collection if testing of renal concentration is desired, but any specific gravity > 1.022 measured in a randomly collected specimen denotes adequate renal concentration so long as there are no abnormal solutes in the urine.

Another important factor is the interval of time which elapses from collection to examination in the laboratory. Changes which occur with time after collection include: 1) decreased clarity due to crystallization of solutes, 2) rising pH, 3) loss of ketone bodies, 4) loss of bilirubin, 5) dissolution of cells and casts, and 6) overgrowth of contaminating microorganisms.

Generally, urinalysis may not reflect the findings of absolutely fresh urine if the sample is > 1 hour old. Therefore, get the urine to the laboratory as quickly as possible.