Smartphone-based analysis of urine reagent strips is inaccurate for assessing underhydration

J. D. Adams, Catalina Capitan-Jimenez, Jenna M. Burchfield, Lisa T. Jansen, Stavros A. Kavouras

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Proper hydration is vital for both exercise and general health. Although various methods for hydration assessment exist, many are not valid for either use or never tested. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the uChek smart phone application can be used to diagnose underhydration based on elevated urine specific gravity (USG) assessed by refractometry. Methods: One hundred forty-seven (n = 147) fresh human urine samples from young and middle-age adults were analyzed for USG with a refractometer and the uChek application by reading the Siemens Multistix 10G urine reagent strip. Results: Bland-Altman analysis showed agreement of the two methods of assessment. Overall diagnostic ability of the uChek to identify underhydration was fair (area under the curve 79%). However, the sensitivity to correctly identify underhydration was poor (60%) as well as the specificity of correctly identifying euhydration (53%). Conclusion: The uChek application does not accurately detect underhydration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)683-686
Number of pages4
JournalTelemedicine and e-Health
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2020

Keywords

  • hydration
  • hypohydration
  • mobile health
  • telemedicine
  • urine biomarkers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Informatics
  • Health Information Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Smartphone-based analysis of urine reagent strips is inaccurate for assessing underhydration'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this