[Use of dipsticks and microscope in the diagnosis of hematuria in general practice].
BACKGROUND
Haematuria is a serious symptom and is often detected by dipstick analysis. We examined the use of dipsticks in general practice.


METHODS
An anonymous questionnaire was sent to all GPs in a county in Denmark in April 2000.


RESULTS
The response rate was 92%. All GPs used dipsticks for the detection of haematuria. Answers to the questionnaire were compared with the guidelines of the dipstick manufacturers, and we found that 80% handled the dipstick incorrectly. A microscope was available in 65% of practices, and 44% performed urine microscopy in the case of dipstick haematuria.


CONCLUSIONS
The validity of dipsticks in the detection of haematuria is discussed, and we conclude that dipsticks must be handled strictly in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer, so as to maintain a high rate of specificity and sensitivity. A positive dipstick should be followed up immediately with microscopy of the same urine sample.
Organkirurgisk afdeling, urologisk sektion, Amtssygehuset Roskilde. dreisler@dadlnet.dk
Eva
E
Dreisler
Niels
N
Dreisler
Jens Thorup
JT
Andersen
D003718:Denmark; D005194:Family Practice; D006417:Hematuria / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D011934:Reagent Strips