Dr.

Gillespies Five Presentations of Renal Disease

based on urinary findings
Patient Findings
Hematuria alone

Clinical Diagnosis
Hematuria

Comments
Often benign, especially if
microscopic

A little proteinuria but no

hematuria

Proteinuria

A lot of proteinuria* but no

hematuria

Nephrotic Syndrome

Associated with a number of

renal diseases and rarely benign,
except for orthostatic proteinuria
Renal biopsy and extensive
workup usually not indicated

A little proteinuria and

hematuria

Nephritis

Renal biopsy indicated in most

cases, unless clearly postinfectious etiology
Nephritis and nephrotic
Renal biopsy indicated in most
5 A lot of proteinuria* and
hematuria
syndrome
cases, unless clearly postinfectious etiology
*A lot of proteinuria is defined as enough to cause hypoalbuminemia and edema.

Robert Gillespie, MD, MPH