Talk:Uremia

message: :I did a longer search of the web for definitions of uremia and azotemia.  I found four additional definitions that support the assertion that uremia and azotemia are the same:    
:Two sites suggest something a bit different-- something along the lines of:
:"Azotemia: A higher than normal blood level of urea or other nitrogen containing compounds in the blood."   .
:If one examines the etymology of azotemia it is: 'azote' = nitrogen + 'emia' = more .  Uremia likely has a similar etymology, i.e. urea + emia = uremia
:It is my experience that the terms are used interchangably, in a clinical context (an assertion  supported by Felix-Felix). Since, urea contains nitrogen it is fair to say that a uremia also constitutes an azotemia. Therefore, I think it would make sense to merge uremia into azotemia. (Technically speaking, I don't think merging in the opposite direction would be wrong (i.e. azotemia into uremia)-- as urea, AFAIK, is the body's way of packaging nitrogenous waste.)
:I did NOT find anything to back-up the assertion made by Ben (65.95.117.45).  Ben could you provide a reference for the above?  
:If no factual objection is presented to the above and Ben doesn't come forward with a reference I move to close the discussion in 10 days and merge (uremia into azotemia) on the basis of the above facts.  Nephron  T|C 04:08, 15 March 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I looked through Robbins & Cotrans; it suggests that azotemia is a biochemical abnormality whilst uremia is a biochemical abnormality + characteristic (clinical) symptoms. Interesting it that this contradicts some of the primary literature -- "THE KIDNEY IN CIRRHOSIS. I. CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL FEATURES OF AZOTEMIA IN HEPATIC FAILURE." . Robbins & Cotrans is a great book for pathology... but I'm not sure I'd crown it the authority on the terminology used by nephrologists and I, personally, have some reservations about how the section on renal pathology in the book is written. Nephron  T|C 23:10, 30 March 2007 (UTC)

text: The idea that imprecise terminology is prevalent does not render it correct.  A great many physicians use the terms interchangably in many situations.  Primary literature is indeed important, but while medical textbooks have the benefit of being edited many times over by a large body of contributors (7 editions for Robbins & Cotran), primary research articles are edited by a much more limited group, namely the scientists and physicians who did the study and their immediate associates.  Furthermore, the purpose of the aformentioned study and many of the others previously cited is not to precisely define azotemia and uremia as is the case in an encyclopedia such as this site.  I don't doubt that even many nephrologists use the terms interchangably as evidenced by FelixFelix above.  However, the problem still remains that these terms are not exact synonyms.  Ask any medical student who has recently taken a nephrology exam (or more preferably, the attending teaching that portion of the course) or resident who has used the term uremia and azotemia interchangably on the wards.  Not every physician objects, but those that do, do so vehemently and have the accepted body of medical literature on their side.  If doubt still remains in your mind, I will continue to cite more examples of why azotemia is not exactly the same as uremia, but the impeachement of Robbins and Cotran in favor of any primary research article whos purpose is not directly related to defining those two terms seems incorrect to me.TheDoqtor 23:35, 30 March 2007 (UTC)

text: According to Tintinalli's "Emergency Medicine," "Uremia should be viewed only as a clinical syndrome; no single symptom, sign, or laboratory test is reliable in diagnosing all aspects of uremia."  The same book also specifies, "In 1840, Piorry was the first to use the term uremia, contamination of the blood with urine, to describe the clinical syndrome from ESRD. The concept that uremia is from an excretory failure resulting in toxin accumulation is reinforced by the continued use of the term azotemia, the buildup of blood nitrogen."  Harrison's Internal Medicine states, "Azotemia refers to the retention of nitrogenous waste products as renal insufficiency develops. Uremia refers to the more advanced stages of progressive renal insufficiency when the complex, multiorgan system derangements become clinically manifest."  We now have multiple medical texts differentiating azotemia and uremia.  If more sources are needed, I will continue to find them. TheDoqtor 15:49, 31 March 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: * I agree with you that uremia and azotemia are not synonymous.  However, as it stands we have two rather stumpy stubs.  Merging them together, incorporating the distinctions that you are drawing into the article text, may be the best way to make on good article rather than two stubs...I can tell that you feel strongly about clarifying the distinction between the two.  I just wonder if it might not be better to have one article.  —Gaff ταλκ 05:47, 4 June 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Plan to close discussion & move

message: should be separate section for PE / Symptoms of uremia.
- also add metallic taste and please find reference. ty. 163.40.12.37 (talk) 23:44, 27 October 2010 (UTC)
thread_title:  add metallic taste 

message: The page on gout says it is sometimes a result of kidney failure, so for consistency shouldn't it be mentioned here?  --zandperl (talk) 22:17, 17 November 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  Gout 

message: I'm just trying to get more on this page. Please don't just remove it. Try to make it fit. Starting to wonder if this page should be called uremic syndrome instead.Sion55 (talk) 20:59, 30 June 2014 (UTC)
thread_title: Tables and other additions

message: Sticking a brief outline below for guidance. Do what you will with it.Sion55 (talk) 19:40, 9 July 2014 (UTC)
thread_title: Outline