Aim: This study aims to test the diagnostic value of reagent-strip and sediment microscopy of urine compared to uroculture and evaluate their use singly or in combination to identify urinary tract infections in suspected cases.

Materials and method: 848 patients who admitted to urology department outpatient clinic were included into the study. Urine specimens of all patients were subjected to urine dipstick test, sediment microscopy and culture test. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were determined for each test or combination of tests with respect to urine culture. Performance of urinalysis tests was evaluated by calculation of sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. Statistical analysis was performed by using the chi-square test.

Results: Culture was positive in urine specimens of 145 (17.1 %) patients. E.coli (74.5%) was the most frequently isolated microorganism and 8.28 % gram positive cocci, as well. There were statistically significant differences between uroculture and LE, N, sediment microscopy of urine results (p<0.05). Compared with culture, the sensitivities and spesificities of LE, N and sediment microscopy were 74.7 %, 64.4 %, 80.5 % and 84.8%, 98.5%, 88% respectively. The PPV and NPV of the same tests were also 53.5%, 92.9%, 60.4% and 93.7% 89.8%, 95% respectively.

Conclusion: We considered that LE, N, sediment microscopy of urine for WBC showed inadequate sensitivity, specifity, positive and negative predictive values. Uroculture should be performed for all UTI suspected patients for proper diagnosis and treatment.