RENAL GLYCOSURIA TREATED AS DIABETES-MELLITUS - CASE-REPORT

A case of renal glycosuria is reported. A 55 year old female was diagn osed and treated in an upcountry hospital for diabetes mellitus. She d eveloped symptoms of hypoglycaemia while on an oral hypoglycaemic agen t, leading to her admission in Mulago Hospital. Persistent glycosuria was noted despite treatment and normal serum glucose. Oral glucose tol erance test and timed urine glucose showed a normal curve but high uri ne sugar. A diagnosis of renal glycosuria was made, oral hypoglycaemic therapy was stopped, patient improved and was discharged. Though rena l glycosuria is a benign condition, mistaken diagnosis for diabetes me llitus puts patients at risk of hypoglycaemia due to treatment. Diagno sis of the condition requires physicians' awareness of its existence i n our community and the use of Marbles' criteria obviates confusion wi th diabetes mellitus though it does not absolutely exclude Fanconi syn drome.