Urinalysis (UA) is one of the most frequently ordered tests. The results of UA are used to diagnose, treat, and provide follow-up for a variety of conditions, especially urinary tract infections (UTIs). In general, UA is obtained for symptoms of irritation, burning, pain, change in frequency of urination, or change in appearance of the urine.
UA is an essential procedure for patients undergoing hospital admission or physical examination. It is a useful indicator of a healthy or diseased state and has remained an integral part of the patient examination. Two unique characteristics of urine specimens can account for this continued popularity:
Urine specimens are readily available and easy to collect.
Urine contains information about many of the body’s major metabolic functions, and this information can be obtained by simple laboratory tests.
These characteristics fit in well with the current trends toward preventive medicine and lower medical costs. By offering an inexpensive way to test large numbers of people, not only for kidney disease but also for the asymptomatic beginnings of conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and liver disease, the UA can be a valuable metabolic screening procedure. Urine tests can even be used to detect prostate and breast cancer markers.
Should it be necessary to determine whether a particular fluid is actually urine, the specimen can be tested for its urea and creatinine content. Both of these substances are present in much higher concentrations in urine than in other body fluids (Chart 3.1).
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