[A new protein titrator tape for self-assessment by outpatients with proteinuria]

ł- have invented a new dipstick (protein titrator tape) for measuring the volume of protein excreted in the 24-hour urine. The principle of the method is based on the protein error of indicators with the modification of a conventional dipstick test. The dipstick consists of two thick filter papers, containing differently adjusted pH indicators of tetrabromphenol blue, making it possible to detect a wide range of protein concentrations in the urine using a standard color chart that includes twenty color blocks. Two hundred and ninety outpatients had their urine samples assessed with this method as well as with the pyrogallol red test as a comparative study for quantitative measurement of protein concentrations. The new-type dipstick method exhibited good correlation with the results of the pyrogallol red test, especially in the range of protein concentrations from 50 mg/dl to 400 mg/dl, showing the linear equation of "y (Pyrogallol red) = 10.5 + 0.99 x (Dipstick) (r = 0.91, P < 0.01)". Although there was good correlation with the pyrogallol red test at higher concentrations from 400 mg/dl to 1,000 mg/dl, the dipstick method tended to exhibit lower concentrations than those indicated by the counterpart method. The rate of consistency between observers was quite high. This new-type dipstick method will offer a reliable method for patients or their family to assess their protein excretion in the urine every 24 hours at home using a portable urine sampling device.