Final answer:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacts urinalysis results by showing elevated protein levels, presence of blood, and other abnormalities suggestive of kidney impairment. Elevated serum creatinine levels and various imaging studies are used alongside urinalysis to assess the extent of kidney damage. Urinalysis is vital in CKD diagnosis and management.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly affects the results of a urinalysis, which is a routine test to assess kidney function. CKD leads to gradual kidney damage, which becomes evident through changes in the urine content. In the case of CKD, urinalysis may show elevated levels of proteins, indicating damage to the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli). Furthermore, the presence of blood in urine (hematuria), excess amounts of urine production, changes in urine color due to the breakdown of red blood cells, and abnormalities in cellular elements can all suggest chronic kidney impairment.
Other diagnostic tests for kidney function measure serum creatinine levels, which are typically elevated due to the diminished glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in CKD. Kidney damage is also assessed through imaging studies such as abdominal ultrasounds and nuclear medicine scans (MAG3 and DMSA). Different stages of CKD show varying degrees of function decline, from Stage 1 with mild damage, to Stage 5 which requires renal replacement therapy.
Urinalysis plays a crucial role in early detection and management of CKD, guiding further diagnostic and treatment procedures for affected individuals.