Der Internist
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Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) was first classified as a defined disease entity in 1995. It accounts for approximately 2 % of cases of chronic pancreatitis (western world prevalence 36-41/100,000 inhabitants) and AIP is diagnosed in 2.4 % of pancreas resection specimens. ⋯ Although AIP is increasingly being identified, the differentiation from pancreatic adenocarcinoma still remains difficult and in cases of a suspicion of neoplasia, resection should be favored. It can successfully be treated conservatively with steroids and rituximab.
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A positive signal when testing urine for proteinuria is a frequent finding, either in the context of a routine medical check-up or when searching for a specific renal disorder. This brief overview aims to provide assistance in the classification of proteinuria and to provide guidance to the next diagnostic and therapeutic steps. The normal urine protein loss of a healthy adult is less then 150 mg/day. ⋯ Principally, proteinuria is 1) a symptom of renal diseases, 2) a progression factor for renal diseases and 3) a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and total mortality. In this article proteinuria is defined, the correlation to various renal diseases is described and the relevance for progression of renal diseases and total mortality is shown. Finally, diagnostic procedures are described and a perspective on therapeutic measures is provided.