What is the most common symptom of acute pyelonephritis observed in a patient who presents with urinary tract infection symptoms?

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In patients with acute pyelonephritis, low back pain is recognized as one of the most common symptoms. This condition typically arises when a urinary tract infection progresses to involve the kidneys, resulting in inflammation and infection of the renal parenchyma.

The characteristic pain associated with acute pyelonephritis usually presents as flank pain, which can often be described as dull and aching, occurring in the back or side. This pain reflects the involvement of the kidney's tissues and the surrounding areas, which can become irritated and inflamed due to the infection.

Other symptoms, such as pain with urination, nausea, and urinary frequency, may also be present in a case of acute pyelonephritis but are more commonly associated with lower urinary tract infections. While these symptoms contribute to the overall clinical picture, they do not specifically reflect the kidney involvement one typically sees in pyelonephritis. Therefore, low back pain stands out as a key indicator of this upper urinary tract infection condition.

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