GPAC: Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee

Microscopic Hematuria (Persistent)

Effective Date: April 22, 2009

Summary | Flow Sheet | Patient Guide | Full Guideline in PDF

Recommendations and Topics

Scope

Risk Factors

Diagnosis/Investigation

Algorithm: Investigation of Persistent Microscopic Hematuria in Adults

Tests

Follow Up

Rationale

References

Scope

This guideline deals with investigation of blood on dipstick urine testing and persistent microscopic hematuria in adults (age 19 and over).

Microscopic hematuria is defined as the presence of more than 3 red blood cells (> 3 RBC) per high power field (HPF) in the centrifuged urinary sediment. It becomes clinically significant, or persistent, when the result is visible in two of three properly collected urine samples (taken over a 10-day or longer time period).¹

Diagnostic Code:

599.7

Risk Factors

Hematuria is the most common sign of bladder cancer. However, the incidence of bladder cancer in patients with microscopic hematuria is low.^2,3

Diagnosis/Investigation (see Algorithm)

Screening the general population for microscopic hematuria is not recommended due to the low incidence of significant urological disease.⁵

If blood is detected on urine dipstick testing incidentally, confirm the finding after controlling for benign causes such as menstruation, exercise, sexual activity, urological instrumentation or prostate exam. If the repeat dipstick remains positive for blood, confirm with laboratory macroscopic and microscopic urinalysis. It should be noted that there is not necessarily a correlation between the degree of hematuria and the severity of the underlying disease.³

The most typical clinical scenario for finding microscopic hematuria is during the evaluation of patients with suspected urinary tract infection. Rule out infection prior to referral.^1,3,4 Treat for urinary tract infection if pyuria, bacteria or nitrites are present. It cannot be assumed that isolated hematuria represents a urinary tract infection.^1,7 Anticoagulants including aspirin predispose patients to hematuria only in the presence of urinary tract disease. It is recommended that patients on anticoagulants with hematuria be investigated.

Algorithm: Investigation of Persistent Microscopic Hematuria in Adults

Tests

a) Urinalysis (dipstick):

Microscopic urinalysis can distinguish between dysmorphic red cells (renal parenchyma) and isomorphic red cells (urinary collecting system) providing initial direction for appropriate referral and investigation.⁶ Persistent unexplained microscopic hematuria (two or more samples out of three) requires investigation prior to referral. Urine dipstick may be misleading as it lacks the ability to distinguish red blood cells from myoglobin or hemoglobin. Thus, a positive dipstick test requires follow up examination by microscopic technique to confirm the presence of red blood cells.^1,4

i) Lab sample: For routine urinalysis, a midstream specimen collected in a clean container without prior cleansing of the genitalia provides a satisfactory sample. If the specimen is likely to be contaminated by vaginal discharge or menstrual blood, repeat the sample later.

Ideally, the specimen for routine analysis should be examined while fresh. If this is not possible, refrigeration until examination is recommended. Because it is concentrated, the first specimen voided upon rising is the preferred specimen for routine urinalysis. Red cells and casts are more likely to deteriorate if the urine specific gravity is low (<1.015) or the pH high (≥7.0)⁴. However, a randomly collected specimen is more convenient for the patient and is usually acceptable for most purposes.

b) Imaging:

Most adult patients with persistent microscopic hematuria usually require imaging evaluation.⁷ However, young women presenting with a clinical picture of simple cystitis and whose hematuria resolves after successful therapy may not require imaging. Patients who have clear-cut evidence of glomerulopathy may be appropriately investigated with renal ultrasound and chest radiography. Renal ultrasonography computed tomography (CT) and intravenous pyelogram (IVP) are often used to evaluate the upper urinary tract of patients with microscopic hematuria.^1,7 Renal ultrasound is preferred over IVP and CT as it has comparable sensitivity and specificity, as well as lower morbidity and costs.

Following imaging of the upper urinary tract:

• Urine cytology studies are recommended for all patients with persistent microscopic hematuria.
• Cystoscopy is recommended for all patients >40 with persistent microscopic hematuria and patients of any age with persistent microscopic hematuria and risk factors for bladder cancer.¹

Follow Up

No cause will be found for microscopic hematuria in many cases. If initial ultrasound and other investigations reveal no disease, cystoscopy for persistent asymptomatic microscopic hematuria is not warranted in patients under 40 without risk factors for bladder cancer unless gross hematuria, a significant increase in the number of red blood cells, or urinary tract symptoms develop. When no specific cause for persistent microscopic hematuria is found, perform urinalysis and measure blood pressure.^1,3,4 If the hematuria persists beyond three months, consider referral to a specialist.

Rationale

Microscopic hematuria is often an incidental finding but may be associated with urologic malignancy in up to 10 percent of adults.^1,8 The incidence of underlying renal or bladder malignancy in those over 40 with microscopic hematuria increases with age (average age 60) and bladder cancer is twice as common in men as in women. There is considerable variation between recommendations from population-based studies versus referral based studies as to the prevalence of significant disease in patients with microscopic hematuria.^9,10

References

1. McDonald M, Swagerty D, Wetzel L. Assessment of Microscopic Hematuria in Adults. American Family Physician 2006;73(10):1748-1754.
   
2. Chiong E, Gaston K, Grossman H. Urinary markers in screening patients with hematuria. World Journal of Urology 2008;26:25-30.
   
3. Finnish Medical Society Duodecim. Haematuria. In: EBM Guidelines. Evidence Based Medicine. Helsinki, Finland: Wiley Interscience. John Wiley & Sons; 2004.
   
4. Rao P, Jones S. How to evaluate ‘dipstick hematuria’: What to do before you refer. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 2008;75(3):227-233.
   
5. Tomson C, Porter T. Asymptomatic microscopic or dipstick haematuria in adults: Which investigations for which patients? A review of the evidence. BJU International 2002;90:185-198.
   
6. Hosking DH. Asymptomatic microscopic hematuria Can J Urol 1995;2:87-97.
   
7. Choyke PL, Bluth EI, Bush WH Jr. et al. Hematuria. Complete Summary, National Guideline Clearing House. Reston (VA):American College of Radiology 2005: 6p.
   
8. Khadra M. Pickard R, Charlton M. et al. A prospective analysis of 1,930 patients with hematuria to evaluate current diagnostic practice. J Urol. 2000;163(2):524-527.
   
9. Asymptomatic haematuria letters. BMJ 2000;320:1598-1600.
   
10. Grossfeld GD, Wolf JS, et al. Asymptomatic microscopic hematuria is adults: Am Fam Physician 2001;63(6):1145-1154.

This guideline is based on scientific evidence current as of the Effective Date.

This guideline was developed by the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee, approved by the British Columbia Medical Association and adopted by the Medical Services Commission.

Disclaimer

The Clinical Practice Guidelines (the "Guidelines") have been developed by the Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee on behalf of the Medical Services Commission. The Guidelines are intended to give an understanding of a clinical problem, and outline one or more preferred approaches to the investigation and management of the problem. The Guidelines are not intended as a substitute for the advice or professional judgment of a health care professional, nor are they intended to be the only approach to the management of clinical problems.

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