Electronic Letters to:
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eLetters: Electronic letters published:
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Re: Recurring theme
- William Sargent (1 October 2003)
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Recurring theme
- Ray McGlone (21 July 2003)
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William Sargent, Clinical Fellow Bristol Royal Infirmary
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wsargeat{at}doctors.org.uk William Sargent
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Dear Editor In the younger age group syptoms are as useful as any diagnostic test so it would be reasonable to treat accordingly remembering that chlamydia may masquerade as dysuria so a sexual history should be sought. |
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Ray McGlone, A&E Consultant
Send letter to journal:
rmcglone{at}lineone.net Ray McGlone
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Dear Editor The use of dipsticks in A&E has been looked at extensively. The underlying problem is the lack of a "gold standard" in that microscopy is not a 100% reliable and apparent positive cultures on MSUs can be due to contamination whilst getting an MSU. Using Strip Testing we were able to demonstrate a predictive value for a negative result of 96.4%, but we were using 4 parameters (blood,protein,leucocytes and nitrites)not just 2 as highlighted in the BET. These strips were visually read, so it is highly likely that the use of photometers to read the strip would improve on this value. We concluded that by excluding these specimens there would be a reduction in 37% of MSUs requested.[1] Some screening test is needed. Reference (1) McGlone R, Lambert M, Clancy M, Hawkey PM. Use of Ames SG10 Urine Dipstick for diagnosis of abdominal pain in the accident and emergency department. Archives of Emergency Med1990;7(1):42-7. |
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