Accuracy of dipstick urinalysis as a screening method for detection of glucose, protein, nitrites and blood.

This study determined the reliability of dipstick urinalysis for detection of protein, glucose, blood and nitrites in non-random urine samples from 300 people aged > 50 years attending a health centre for check-up. The gold standards were fasting blood glucose for glucosuria and the sulfosalicylic acid method for urine protein. Microscopic examination of urinary sediment and urine culture were also performed for positive dipstick results for haematuria and nitrites. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of the dipstick test for detection of protein were 80.0%, 95.0%, 22.2% and 99.6% and for glucose were 100%, 98.5%, 87.0% and 100% respectively. Dipstick urinalysis can be a reliable screening method for diagnosis of urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus but not for proteinuria.