Evaluation of Directions for Use Compatibility Between Different Brands Strips Urine Reagent

Abstract

Through the urine test we can measure kidney function and identify pathologies of the urinary tract. The urine test strips are a fast, easy and increasingly used method of analysis. It is extremely important to check compatibility between the different brands assuring a better understanding of the diagnosis. We compared the package inserts of eight different brands of urine test strips and the reagents used in the urinary determination, besides information concerning the detection of limit ranges, reading intervals and possible interferences. A comparison of the leaflets showed differences among them. Concerning the reagents used, in general, all brands use similar ones but in different quantities. The patient information leaflets have several interferences, but it was observed that some brands do not mention the interferences that are mentioned in other brands. As for the legends of semiquantitative measurements, most brands do not include this information on the product leaflet. Among the brands that could be analyzed with this parameter was observed that the analytes glucose, bilirubin, ketones and blood did not have the same correlation between concentration and label brands. We stress the importance of ensuring a greater standardization of the information contained in the leaflets of the reagent strips.