From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, I.R. Iran.
Abstract: (4399 Views)
In order to determine the value of dipstick analysis of urinary protein in pregnancy
induced hypertension, a prospective study analyzing pregnant patients with
a diagnosis of hypertensive disorder was conducted to compare the result of urinary
protein dipstick analysis with 24hr. urine protein collection in obstetrical
clinics affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
All patients fulfilling the criteria of the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists' definitions for establishing a diagnosis of hypertensive
disorder on the basis of urinary dipstick measurements were included in
the study.
During the study, 102 hypertensive pregnant patients aged from 16-42 years
were included in the study. Obtained results showed that the presence of negative
value on urinary dipstick with a sensitivity of 100% is a useful method for ruling
out significant proteinuria (> 300 mg/24hr). But values of >2+ are not adequate
to confirm a diagnosis of severe hypertensive disorder because its positive predictive
value is only 22% and values of > trace-although highly suggestive of
significant proteinuria (positive predictive value: 78%)-have a false positive rate
of 23% a timed collection of urine for determination of 24-hr protein excretion
becomes mandatory in such cases.
The urinary dipstick determination of protein excretion therefore has significant
limitations for determination of the presence or severity of proteinuria.