NIH, National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) NIH - National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute DCTD - Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis

Stability of common analytes in urine refrigerated for 24 h before automated analysis by test strips.

Author(s): Froom P, Bieganiec B, Ehrenrich Z, Barak M

Publication: Clin Chem, 2000, Vol. 46, Page 1384-6

PubMed ID: 10973869 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

The purpose of this paper was to determine the effect of refrigeration for 24 h on the stability of common urine analytes and to examine the precision of autoanalyzer measurements.

Conclusion of Paper

Refrigeration of the specimen for 24 h did not impact the stability of nitrates, ketones, or glucose. Refrigeration did lead to some false test results for red blood cells, leukocytes esterase and proteinuria. While generally the tests were highly precise, at lower levels glucose and proteinuria tests led to false results. In conclusion, automated urinalysis is generally precise, but results may be altered if specimens are refrigerated for 24 h.

Studies

  1. Study Purpose

    The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of refrigeration for 24 h on the stability of 6 common urine analytes measured by autoanalyzer. The precision of the tests was also examined through repeat testing within 1 h.

    Summary of Findings:

    Refrigeration of the specimen for 24 h did not impact the stability of nitrates, ketones, or glucose. Refrigeration led to false-negative test results for red blood cells (p<0.05), and a 25% false negative result rate for leukocytes esterase (p<0.005). Proteinuria at low concentrations (less than 5,000 mg/L) showed an increase in false positive test results (P<0.05) after refrigeration. While the tests for nitrates, ketones, red blood cells and leukocyte esterase showed a high degree of precision, glucose and proteinuria tests led to false results at lower concentrations (less than 10,000 mg/L and less than 5,000 mg/L, respectively). The glucose and proteinuria results may have been affected by a small sample size in the high concentration categories. In conclusion, automated urinalysis is generally precise but results may be altered if specimens are stored for 24 h.

    Biospecimens
    Preservative Types
    • None (Fresh)
    • Other Preservative
    Diagnoses:
    • Not specified
    Platform:
    AnalyteTechnology Platform
    Carbohydrate Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
    Small molecule Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
    Protein Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
    Cell count/volume Hematology/ auto analyzer
    Pre-analytical Factors:
    ClassificationPre-analytical FactorValue(s)
    Storage Storage duration 0 h
    24 h
    Biospecimen Preservation Type of fixation/preservation Refrigeration
    None (fresh)

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