The significance of albuminuria; proteinuria.

"Albuminuria" is an inadequate term; proteins other than albumin commonly appear in the urine. Proteinuria seems to depend upon failure of the tubules to reabsorb protein which has filtered through glomeruli. Its occurrence may be the result of abnormal plasma proteins, glomeruli or tubules. Proteinuria need not always be the result of a renal lesion, but may actually cause one. When proteinuria is discovered, it should arouse curiosity about the patient in general, not merely about his kidneys. Other clinical information is needed in order that treatment be directed appropriately.