Abstract
Background: A previous study suggested that, among children, a clear urine sample accurately rules out urinary tract infection. The aim of this study was to replicate this previous study done in an adult female population.
Methods: We analyzed 100 anonymous urine samples from female patients ages 18 to 50 years who were receiving care in a university hospital system. Urine samples were tested for clarity by determining if newsprint could be legibly read through them.
Results: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the newsprint test were 13.3%, 96.5%, 40.0%, and 86.3%, respectively.
Conclusion: Visual inspection of urine clarity was not sufficiently accurate to rule out urinary tract infection in women.