Age-Related Patterns in Urinary Biomarkers Using Urine Dipstick Analysis

Year 2024, Volume: 19 Issue: 4, 160 - 165

Fjoralda Bakiri , Anisa Hoxha , Mirela Lika

Abstract

The urinary system's primary functions are to eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood volume and pressure, control electrolyte and metabolite levels, and maintain blood pH. Aging significantly impacts the urinary system, often reducing the efficiency of its organs. As individuals age, the urinary tract undergoes various changes that can affect its function and are reflected in urine diagnostic parameters. In a study conducted with 100 individuals in Durres, Albania, the sample consisted of 46% women and 56% men. The results revealed that 15% tested positive for proteinuria, 45% for ketones, 5% for high glucose levels, and 6% for nitrites. Statistical analysis indicated a significant relationship between high glucose levels in urine and age (χ² = 0.203*, p = 0.043), suggesting that glucose levels may increase with age. Additionally, there was a negative relationship between urine pH and age (p < 0.001), indicating that pH levels tend to decrease as people get older. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring urine diagnostic parameters in aging populations. Urine reagent strips proved to be a valuable tool in this study, offering quick and efficient results and allowing for the detection of a wide range of chemical parameters. This approach provides essential insights into the functional changes occurring in the urinary system with age.

Keywords

Urinary system, diagnostic parameters, urine analysis, aging

Ethical Statement

The author has read, understood, and complied as applicable with the statement on "Ethical responsibilities of Authors" as found in the Instructions for Authors”

Thanks

We thank "Medical Care Lami" for the important contributions to this study

References

• Brück K., Stel VS, Gambaro G, Hallan S, Völzke H, Ärnlöv J, Kastarinen, M, Guessous I, Vinhas J, Stengel B, Brenner H, Chudek J, Romundstad S, Tomson C, Gonzalez AO, Bello AK, Ferrieres J, Palmieri L, Browne G, Capuano V, European CKD Burden Consortium (2016) CKD Prevalence Varies across the European General Population. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., JASN, 27(7), 2135–2147. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26701975/
• Clark WF, Sontrop JM, Macnab JJ, Suri RS, Moist L, Salvadori M, Garg AX, (2011) Urine volume and change in estimated GFR in a community-based cohort study. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol: CJASN, 6(11), 2634–2641. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21885793/
• Dmitrieva NI, Liu D, Wu CO, Boehm M, (2022) Middle age serum sodium levels in the upper part of normal range and risk of heart failure. Eu. Heart J, 43(35), 3335–3348. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/issue/43/35
• Franz M, Hörl WH, (1999) Common errors in diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection. I: pathophysiology and diagnostic techniques. Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation: official publication of the Eu. Dialysis & Trans. Assoc. – Eu. Renal Assoc., 14(11), 2746–2753. https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/journalc80b239d5dfeb7b77d9d80838bbfe9eb
• Han, J. M., & Joo, N. S. (2020). Impact of Exercise on the Presence of Urinary Ketones Based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data, 2014-2015. Journal of obesity & metabolic syndrome, 29(2), 143–149. Kalyani RR, Egan JM, (2013) Diabetes and glucose metabolism altered with aging. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am, 42(2), 333–347. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23702405/
• Kim BR, Seo JW, Kim SM, Kim KN, Joo NS, (2020) The Presence of Urinary Ketones according to Metabolic Status and Obesity. J Korean Med Sci., 35(31), e273. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e273
• Kouri TT, Hofmann W, Falbo R, Oyaert M, Schubert S, Gertsen JB, Merens A, Pestel-Caron M, Task and Finish Group for Urinalysis (TFG-U), European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) (2024). The EFLM European Urinalysis Guideline 2023. Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine, 62(9), 1653–1786. https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2024-0070
• Kraut JA, Madias NE, (2016) Metabolic Acidosis of CKD: An Update. Am J Kidney Dis.: the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation, 67(2), 307–317. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2015.08.028.
• Kutter D, (2000). The urine test strip of the future. Clini. Chim. Acta; international journal of clinical chemistry, 297(1-2), 297–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-8981(00)00255-2
• Nakanishi N, Fukui M, Tanaka M, Toda H, Imai S, Yamazaki M, Hasegawa G, Oda Y, Nakamura N, (2012). Low urine pH Is a predictor of chronic kidney disease. Kidney Blood Press Res. 35(2), 77–81. doi: 10.1159/000330487.
• O'Sullivan, ED., Hughes J, Ferenbach DA, (2017) Renal Aging: Causes and Consequences. J Am Soc Nephrol. JASN, 28(2), 407–420. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2015121308.
• Oyaert M, Delanghe JR, (2019). Semiquantitative, fully automated urine test strip analysis. J Clin Lab Anal., 33(5), e22870. doi: 10.1002/jcla.22870.
• Parker JL, Kirmiz, S, Noyes, SL, Davis AT,., Babitz, SK., Alter D, Hu S, Lane BR, (2020). Reliability of urinalysis for identification of proteinuria is reduced in the presence of other abnormalities including high specific gravity and hematuria. Urol Oncol., 38(11), 853.e9–853.e15. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2020.06.035.
• Rosenstock JL, Pommier M, Stoffels G, Patel S, Michelis MF, (2018) Prevalence of Proteinuria and Albuminuria in an Obese Population and Associated Risk Factors. Front Med (Lausanne), 5, 122. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00122.
• Rowell D. M. (1998). Evaluation of a urine chemistry analyser. Prof Nurse . (London, England), 13(8), 533–534. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9653296/
• Sureshkumar KK, Ray T, Clark BA, (2003) Evaluation and outcome of proteinuria in older and younger adults. J. Gerontology. Series A, J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci., 58(4), 378–381. doi: 10.1093/gerona/58.4.m378.
• White SL, Yu R, Craig JC, Polkinghorne KR, Atkins RC, Chadban SJ, (2011) Diagnostic accuracy of urine dipsticks for detection of albuminuria in the general community. Am. J. Kid. Dis. the official J Nat. Kid. Found., 58(1), 19–28. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.12.026.