K J Heuter1, C A Buffington, D J Chew. 1. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare urine pH of cats and dogs determined by use of a dipstrip and a pH meter. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 109 urine samples from 88 cats that were clinically normal or had signs of irritative urination, 52 samples from 13 clinically normal dogs, and 3 samples from 3 dogs with urinary tract infections. PROCEDURE: Measurements of urine pH were obtained by use of a dipstrip and pH meter, and degree of agreement between measurements was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean difference (+/- 2 SD) between the 2 methods was 0.1 +/- 0.9 pH units. Only 65 of 164 (40%) samples measured by use of a dipstrip were within 0.25 pH units of results obtained by use of the pH meter. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: When an accurate measurement of urine pH is critical for clinical decision making, the measurement should be made by use of a pH meter. Dipstrips typically are not accurate enough to be clinically useful.
OBJECTIVE: To compare urine pH of cats and dogs determined by use of a dipstrip and a pH meter. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 109 urine samples from 88 cats that were clinically normal or had signs of irritative urination, 52 samples from 13 clinically normal dogs, and 3 samples from 3 dogs with urinary tract infections. PROCEDURE: Measurements of urine pH were obtained by use of a dipstrip and pH meter, and degree of agreement between measurements was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean difference (+/- 2 SD) between the 2 methods was 0.1 +/- 0.9 pH units. Only 65 of 164 (40%) samples measured by use of a dipstrip were within 0.25 pH units of results obtained by use of the pH meter. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: When an accurate measurement of urine pH is critical for clinical decision making, the measurement should be made by use of a pH meter. Dipstrips typically are not accurate enough to be clinically useful.
Authors: Juan Alguacil; Ruth M Pfeiffer; Lee E Moore; Manuel Rivas Del Fresno; Rafael Medina-Lopez; Manolis Kogevinas; Roel Vermeulen; Mustafa Dosemeci; Debra T Silverman; Nathaniel Rothman; Montserrat García-Closas Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2007-03-03 Impact factor: 8.082