title: Proteinuria--what value is the dipstick?
abstract: The value of the urinary dipstick in the assessment of proteinuria was investigated in a study correlating laboratory measurements of protein and albumin against the dipstick protein in the same samples of urine; 94 patients (100 admissions) were studied at the Royal Air Force Renal Unit, each patient collecting two 24-h urine samples. Along with each 24-h sample, 10-ml aliquots of urine were obtained at 3 designated times during the day for both ward dipstick testing and laboratory assay; + or more on the dipstick correlated with abnormal proteinuria (greater than or equal to 150 mg/24 h) in 88% of cases, whilst trace values straddled the level of significant proteinuria. Further differentiation of trace was possible by repeat testing during the day. The subsequent presence of a dipstick negative during that day correlated with normality in all but 5% of cases. In order to ensure detection of renal disease presenting as isolated orthostatic proteinuria, assay of the mid-morning sample is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Renal Unit, Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital, Aylesbury.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rainford
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Strike
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000652:urine*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D003404:Creatinine