Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of haematuria varies significantly:

• it is important to establish that haematuria is in fact red blood cells in the urine; some dyes, drugs such as rifampicin, and foods, such as beetroot, can cause a red urine. A positive dipstick test may also reflect haemoglobinuria and not haematuria.
• urinary tract malignancy - kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, prostate, urethra
• urinary tract stones
• urinary tract infection
• nephrological disease: IgA nephropathy, glomerulonephritis
• benign prostatic hyperplasia
• bleeding disorders, anticoagulation therapy above therapeutic range
• trauma: penetrating or blunt
• menstruation
• exercise-induced haematuria

Reference:

1. Bolenz C, Schroppel B, Eisenhardt A, et al. The Investigation of Hematuria. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018 Nov 30;115(48):801-807