Inaccuracy of osmometry for measurement of plasma water in acute diabetes mellitus.
Osmometry is reportedly a relatively imprecise technique for the measurement of plasma water. However, reconsideration of the theoretical background of the test reveals that it is also likely to be inaccurate and subject to both positive errors as well as viscosity-dependent negative errors simultaneously, when applied to samples from patients admitted in acute diabetes mellitus. This was confirmed by comparison with Waugh's method of results for 59 specimens from 14 cases. Plasma water was shown to be relatively underestimated at high protein concentrations and overestimated at lower ones.
Biochemistry Department, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, Scotland, UK.
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Davidson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001769:Blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration
D001798:Blood Proteins