The comparison study of urine specific gravity measuring by refractive analyzers for diagnose kidney diseases

Abstract

Background: Urine specific gravity (Ur.sp.gr.) is a significant indicator of urine concentration to diagnose kidney disease. Nowadays, the detectors of refractive index are generally use in medical laboratory however, there are stills some limitations and  need to approve quality before using.  In present, UC3500 and ATAGO reflectance analyzers are used in Medical Technology Laboratory, Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand but there are lack of comparison data for support performer’s confidence.

Objective: To study the comparison and correlation of Ur.sp.gr. values which were measured by 2 refractive analyzers, (UC3500 vs ATAGO) for remind accuracy in diagnosis kidney diseases.

Material and methods: Total amount 89 random urine were analyzed by UC3500 (cover diluted (<1.010), normal (1.011-1.030) and concentrated (>1.030)) and measured following by ATAGO respectively. The average value and correlation coefficient (r) were computed by statistical analysis.

Result: The median value of Ur.sp.gr.by UC3500 and ATAGO is no significantly different by Wilcoxon signed ranks test (non-parametric test) at α = 0.05. The Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient (r) presented value 0.998, that is very high correlation.

Conclusion: The urine specific gravity measuring by UC3500 and ATAGO is no different or concordance value and reliable in quality using for kidney diseases.