Dipstick measurements of urine specific gravity are unreliable.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_20939
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Dipstick measurements of urine specific gravity are unreliable.
Journal
Archives of Disease in Childhood
ISSN
1468-2044 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0003-9888
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2001
Volume
85
Number
2
Pages
155-157
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the reliability of dipstick measurements of urine specific gravity (U-SG).
METHODS: Fresh urine specimens were tested for urine pH and osmolality (U-pH, U-Osm) by a pH meter and an osmometer, and for U-SG by three different methods (refractometry, automatic readout of a dipstick (Clinitek-50), and (visual) change of colour of the dipstick).
RESULTS: The correlations between the visual U-SG dipstick measurements and U-SG determined by a refractometer and the comparison of Clinitek((R))-50 dipstick U-SG measurements with U-Osm were less than optimal, showing very wide scatter of values. Only the U-SG refractometer values and U-Osm had a good linear correlation. The tested dipstick was unreliable for the bedside determination of U-SG, even after correction for U-pH, as recommended by the manufacturer.
CONCLUSIONS: Among the bedside determinations, only refractometry gives reliable U-SG results. Dipstick U-SG measurements should be abandoned.
METHODS: Fresh urine specimens were tested for urine pH and osmolality (U-pH, U-Osm) by a pH meter and an osmometer, and for U-SG by three different methods (refractometry, automatic readout of a dipstick (Clinitek-50), and (visual) change of colour of the dipstick).
RESULTS: The correlations between the visual U-SG dipstick measurements and U-SG determined by a refractometer and the comparison of Clinitek((R))-50 dipstick U-SG measurements with U-Osm were less than optimal, showing very wide scatter of values. Only the U-SG refractometer values and U-Osm had a good linear correlation. The tested dipstick was unreliable for the bedside determination of U-SG, even after correction for U-pH, as recommended by the manufacturer.
CONCLUSIONS: Among the bedside determinations, only refractometry gives reliable U-SG results. Dipstick U-SG measurements should be abandoned.
Keywords
Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Osmolar Concentration, Point-of-Care Systems/standards, Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/standards, Refractometry, Reproducibility of Results, Specific Gravity, Urinalysis/methods
OAI-PMH
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
19/11/2007 13:16
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:56