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[Comparison of conductivity with sodium determination in the same sweat sample]
C A Riedi1, A F Zavadniak, D C Silva
1Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Jornal De Pediatria
|December 4, 2003
Summary
Sweat conductivity testing using the Wescor system offers a simplified method for analyzing sodium concentration. This method shows a strong correlation with quantitative sodium determination, proving effective for cystic fibrosis (CF) diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Diagnostic Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate sodium determination in sweat is crucial for diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF).
- Traditional methods for sweat analysis can be labor-intensive and require larger sample volumes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between sweat conductivity measured by the Wescor system and quantitative sodium levels.
- To assess the utility of the Wescor sweat conductivity test for CF diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 206 sweat samples using quantitative pilocarpine iontophoresis and the Macroduct system.
- Measured sweat conductivity with a Wescor Sweat-Chek analyzer.
- Quantified sodium concentration using a flame photometer.
Main Results:
- A strong positive correlation (r = +0.99, p < 0.0001) was observed between sweat conductivity and sodium concentration.
- Mean conductivity and sodium levels were significantly higher in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (119mmol/L and 113mEq/L) compared to non-CF subjects (41mmol/L and 36mEq/L).
- No CF patients exhibited sweat conductivity values below 80mmol/L.
Conclusions:
- The Wescor sweat conductivity test provides a simplified and accurate method for assessing sweat sodium concentration.
- This method requires smaller sweat volumes and correlates well with quantitative sodium determination, supporting its use in CF screening and diagnosis.