•  
  •  
 

VALIDITY OF UCHEK IPHONE APPLICATION ON ASSESSING DEHYDRATION FROM URINE SAMPLES

Abstract

1Christian B. Ridings, 1J.D. Adams, 1Matthew S. Ganio, 1Brendon P. McDermott, 2Dimitris Bougatsas, 1Stavros A. Kavouras, FACSM. 1Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR; 2Laboratory of Nutrition & Clinical Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece

The widespread acceptance of smartphones presents an opportunity for the development of mobile health applications and accessories. These devices can help reduce costs and improve accessibility of healthcare. PURPOSE: To determine the validity of the uChek iPhone application on measuring hydration status compared to urine refractometry and urine dipstick applicators. METHODS: Fifty-three urine samples were analyzed for urine specific gravity (USG) by a refractometer under a well-lit area. Urine strips (Multistix 10 SG Reagent Strips) were used to record USG by the Multistix label compared to an 8-color control stick, and was then analyzed by the uChek application. RESULTS: Sensitivity analysis showed that overall accuracy of USG via strips and uChek were 68 and 67.3%, respectively. Specifically, the sensitivity of a positive urine test for dehydration (USG≥1.020) was 55.6% with the strips and 51.9% with the iPhone app. The specificity for detecting hypohydrated persons was 36.4% and 31.8% for the strips and iPhone app, respectively. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the iPhone application uChek is not accurately detecting dehydration mainly due to limitations of the urine strips.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS