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
Author(s)
de Buys Roessingh A.S., Drukker A., Guignard J.P.
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
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.
Keywords
Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Osmolar Concentration, Point-of-Care Systems/standards, Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/standards, Refractometry, Reproducibility of Results, Specific Gravity, Urinalysis/methods
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
19/11/2007 12:16
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:56
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