What is the Difference Between Albuminuria and Proteinuria

The key difference between albuminuria and proteinuria is that albuminuria is a medical condition that is due to the abnormal loss of albumin in the urine, while proteinuria is a medical condition that is due to the presence of elevated levels of proteins in the urine.

Albuminuria and proteinuria are two common medical conditions associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The presence of albuminuria and proteinuria is normally associated with the rapid progression of CKD to end-stage renal disease. They also increase the risk for cardiovascular events and mortality in both nondiabetic and diabetic patients who have kidney disease. Moreover, measurement of albuminuria and proteinuria can also aid in evaluating response to the treatment.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Albuminuria
3. What is Proteinuria
4. Similarities – Albuminuria and Proteinuria
5. Albuminuria vs Proteinuria in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Albuminuria vs Proteinuria

What is Albuminuria?

Albuminuria is a medical condition that is characterized by the abnormal loss of albumin in the urine. Albumin is a type of protein usually found in the blood. The body needs this protein as it is an important nutrient that helps build muscle, repair tissue, and fight infection. When albumin is in the urine, it is called albuminuria. Albumin is present in urine in very low quantities: less than 30 mg (microalbuminuria; 30-300mg/g and macroalbuminuria;≥ 300mg/g). But when kidneys are damaged, the albumins start leaking along with other waste products.

The causes of albuminuria may include glomerulonephritis, cysts in the kidney, kidney infection, nephritic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol level, alcoholism, heart disease, family history of kidney disease, aging, heavy physical activity, not drinking adequate quantity of water, fever, infection, and posture changes. The signs and symptoms of albuminuria include a change in the appearance of the urine (frothy or foamy urine), and swelling around the eyes, face, feet, and hand due to fluid accumulation in the tissues.

Moreover, albuminuria can be diagnosed through urine dipstick tests, 24-hour urine tests, and ACR tests (albumin-creatinine ratio). Furthermore, the treatment options for albuminuria are using drugs like ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and ARB (angiotensin II receptor blockers), diuretic medications, dialysis, and kidney transplant.

What is Proteinuria?

Proteinuria is a condition that is due to the presence of high levels of proteins in the urine. Protein should normally be in the blood. If these proteins enter the urine, they ultimately leave the body, which can cause numerous health problems. Proteinuria can be a sign of kidney damage. The causes of proteinuria are dehydration, inflammation, hypotension, kidney stones, intense exercise, stress, taking aspirin daily, certain immune disorders (Lupus and Goodpasture’s syndrome), acute kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis), plasma cell cancer, intravascular hemolysis, cardiovascular disease, preeclampsia, poisoning, trauma, kidney cancer, and congestive heart failure.

The signs and symptoms of proteinuria may include swelling in the face, belly, feet, or ankles, more frequent urination, shortness of breath, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, muscle cramping, especially at night, puffiness in the eyes, foamy or bubbly urine.

Albuminuria vs Proteinuria in Tabular Form

Figure 01: Proteinuria

Moreover, proteinuria can be diagnosed through urine tests, creatinine clearance tests, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) blood tests, blood tests to measure all protein in the serum, imaging tests (CT scan and ultrasound), urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP), immunofixation blood test (IFE), and kidney biopsy. Furthermore, the treatment options for proteinuria include medications like ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and ARB (angiotensin II receptor blockers), diet changes (consuming fewer proteins, limiting salt intake, and eating more fibers), regular exercise, checking blood sugar regularly, quitting smoking, and avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

What are the Similarities Between Albuminuria and Proteinuria?

Albuminuria and proteinuria are two common medical conditions that are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Both these conditions are associated with the rapid progression of CKD to end-stage renal disease.
They can be caused due to common factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infection, inflammation, etc.
They may have similar symptoms, such as changing the appearance of the urine colour, swelling of the body parts, etc.
Both these conditions can be diagnosed through urine and blood tests.
They also increase the risk for cardiovascular events and mortality in both nondiabetic and diabetic patients who have kidney disease.
They can be treated through specific medications and diet changes.

What is the Difference Between Albuminuria and Proteinuria?

Albuminuria is a medical condition that is due to the abnormal loss of albumin in the urine, while proteinuria is a medical condition that is due to the presence of elevated levels of proteins in the urine. Thus, this is the key difference between albuminuria and proteinuria

The below infographic presents the differences between albuminuria and proteinuria in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Albuminuria vs Proteinuria

Albuminuria and proteinuria are two medical conditions that are associated with kidney damage. The key difference between albuminuria and proteinuria is that albuminuria is a medical condition occurring due to the abnormal loss of albumin in the urine, while proteinuria is a medical condition occurring due to the presence of elevated levels of proteins in the urine.