ASSESSMENT OF ADEQUACY OF 24 HOURS URINE SAMPLES COLLECTION IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING ASSESSMENT FOR NEPHROPATHY IN OUTDOOR CLINIC

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cross sectional study was to determine the frequency of under-collected 24 hours urinary samples in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing assessment for nephropathy in outdoor clinic. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted on 112 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus, who visiting outdoor clinic at the Department of Medicine, 1 Mountain Medical Battalion, Bagh, Azad Kashmir, from June 2012 to November 2012. All patients meeting the criteria were explained the procedure for collection verbally in addition to being given written instructions. Adequacy of collection was assessed by measuring creatinine excretion rates.RESULTS: Out of the 112 patients enrolled, 16 (14.29%) collected their samples inadequately. Volume of inadequately collected samples was lesser as compared to samples that were collected properly (1271.25±338.68 ml vs. 1850.21±737.25 ml; p= 0.003). The education level (p 0.001) and urine volume (p= 0.003) were lesser in these 16 patients as compared to others. Inadequate collection was common in the younger patients (22.22% patients aged 60 years, 6.90% aged 60 years; p= 0.021). Gender (15.00% men, 12.50% women; p= 0.733) did not impact the collection of samples.CONCLUSION: Considering the high frequency of under-collections, adequacy of samples should always be checked first before proceeding further with laboratory analysis.