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Biomedical subjects

O Tochikubo

Publications and source records attributed to O Tochikubo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Circadian variation of urinary microalbumin excretion and ambulatory blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between circadian changes in urinary microalbumin excretion (UAE), blood pressure (BP) and physical activity in patients with essential hypertension. DESIGN AND METHODS: The subjects were 45 patients with essential hypertension (EH group: 26 male and 19 female, age 56+/-12 years (mean +/- SD)) and 25 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM group: 14 male and 11 female, age 61+/-10 years). Their BP and physical activity (acceleration) were measured at 30-min intervals for 24 h by means of a multi-biomedical recorder (TM2425). Urine samples were collected during each of four 4-h daytime periods and one 8-h night-time period. From these samples, per-h UAE (UAE/h) was measured. Mean values for mean blood pressure (MBP) and acceleration were calculated for corresponding time periods. Plasma hormones were measured during an early morning rest period. RESULTS: In the EH group, a significant positive correlation was observed between circadian variation of UAE/h and MBP in 35 (78%) subjects, and the mean coefficient of correlation (r) was 0.86+/-0.12. A significant positive correlation was observed between circadian variation of UAE/h and mean acceleration value (Gh) in 25 (56%) subjects, and the mean r value was 0.70+/-0.26. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that MBP exerted a greater influence on UAE/h than Gh. Significant positive correlations were observed between UAE/day and plasma human atrial natriuretic peptide and plasma aldosterone concentration (r = 0.50, P < 0.01; r = 0.36, P< 0.05). None of these relations, however, was observed in the DM group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with essential hypertension, circadian changes in activity and variation of BP influence UAE/h, but no definite relationship of this kind was observed in patients with diabetes mellitus. Measurement of circadian changes in UAE or UAE/day may be useful in estimating the degree of daily stress in non-diabetic patients with essential hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Statistical base value of 24-hour blood pressure distribution in patients with essential hypertension.

The purpose of this study was to calculate statistically the minimum (base) blood pressure (BP) of nighttime (sleep-time) BP values obtained by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and to investigate its clinical significance. Twenty-four-hour recording of ECG with ABPM was performed directly (n=89) or indirectly (n=117) in 206 patients with essential hypertension. A telemeter was used for the direct method and a multi-biomedical recorder (TM2425) was used for indirect measurement. First, minimum heart rate (HR0=60/RR0) was determined from sleep-time ECG. The mean product of sleep-time diastolic BP (DBP) and pulse interval (RR) was divided by RR0 to obtain DBP0 [DBP0=(DBPxRR)s/RR0]. The correlation between systolic BP (SBP) and DBP was used to determine SBP0 corresponding to DBP0. Statistical base mean BP (MBP0) was calculated from these values, and its reproducibility and relation to hypertension severity were investigated. MBP0 values were similar to true base values of sleep-time MBP obtained by the direct method (mean+/-SD difference, 2.0+/-4.2 mm Hg). Direct MBP0 criteria predicted hypertension severity (mild, moderate, or severe target organ damage) more accurately (predictive accuracy, 89%) than daytime MBP criteria (53%, P<0.01). Almost the same results were obtained using indirect MBP0 criteria. Day-to-day indirect MBP0 variation (mean absolute difference) was smaller (2.4+/-1.8 mm Hg) than day-to-day daytime and nighttime MBP variation (6.3+/-5.3 and 5.4+/-3.4 mm Hg, respectively; n=61, P<0.01), and the correlation coefficient between day-to-day variations of daytime MBP and physical activity (measured by an acceleration sensor) was 0.38 (P<0.05). In conclusion, statistical base BP was almost equal to true base (minimum) BP of sleep-time BP distribution. It was closely related to the severity of hypertensive organ damage, was highly reproducible, and is considered likely to serve stochastically and physiologically as a representative BP value in an individual subject.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Optimal reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction: time to reperfusion and recanalization rate].

Rapid and complete reperfusion is important for the reduction of infarct size and mortality in acute myocardial infarction. The optimum reperfusion therapy with regard to the recanalization rate and the time elapsing between onset and complete reperfusion was evaluated. One hundred fifty-four patients with total occlusion of the infarct-related artery within 6 hours of the onset were classified into four therapy groups: PTCA group (n = 58) undergoing primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), t-PA-IC group (n = 44) receiving tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) intracoronary infusion, t-PA-IV group (n = 14) receiving intravenous t-PA infusion, and mt-PA-IV group (n = 38) receiving intravenous mutant t-PA infusion. Although the recanalization rate was high in the PTCA group, there were no differences between the four groups as a supplement to immediate or rescue PTCA. The time elapsing between initiation of thrombolysis and complete reperfusion was shorter in the mt-PA-IV group than in the t-PA-IV group. Assuming the time from hospital arrival to initiation of intravenous thrombolysis was 20 min, the recanalization rate at 60 min after arrival in hospital was higher in the mt-PA-IV group than the PTCA and t-PA-IC groups. Although additional coronary angiography and PTCA may be required to improve the low recanalization rate compared with primary PTCA, intravenous infusion of mutant t-PA was the most promising therapy to achieve early reperfusion.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[A patient with disopyramide intoxication rescued by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support].

A 28-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in a hypotensive state 2 hours after taking 8,400 mg disopyramide. Infusion of catecholamine and gastric lavage restored normal blood pressure. However, 8 hours after taking the disopyramide he became hypotensive again and electrocardiographic findings revealed bizarre ventricular complexes resulting in ventricular flutter. Although standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation was not effective, his circulatory status was maintained by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS). After 36 hours electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm, and his cardiac function became normal. Patients with severe cardiac dysfunction or cardiac arrest caused by disopyramide intoxication can be supported by PCPS until cardiac function is restored.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Relation of absence of ST reelevation immediately after reperfusion and success of reperfusion with myocardial salvage.

To examine whether resolution in ST elevation without ST reelevation immediately after reperfusion indicates successful reperfusion with myocardial salvage, we studied 40 patients who had an extensive acute myocardial infarction with early reperfusion: 24 patients had ST reelevation and 16 patients had no ST reelevation. Results indicate that (1) in the group with ST reelevation, rapid progression of myocardial damage occurs by reperfusion itself (i.e., reperfusion injury) and (2) in the group without ST reelevation, myocardial damage had already been extensive and irreversible at the time of reperfusion; thus, the absence of ST reelevation is not always a sign of reperfusion with myocardial salvage.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A new photo-oscillometric method employing the delta-algorithm for accurate blood pressure measurement.

OBJECTIVE: To measure blood pressure accurately, by developing a new algorithm and an indirect method employing a non-elastic cuff with a photosensor. DESIGN AND METHODS: A non-elastic cuff was wrapped around the brachium. A reflecting plate (10 mm x 40 mm) was sited on the inner central part of the cuff on the arterial side. On the opposite side of the cuff, a photosensor consisting of light-emitting and light-receiving elements was positioned. Oscillation due to arterial pulsation was measured photologically during cuff inflation. Cessation of oscillation was taken as the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and, when the delay time between photo-oscillation and cuff-pressure oscillation upstrokes was at its minimum, the transition from rapid to more stable changes in photo-oscillation was taken as the diastolic blood pressure (DBP; the delta-algorithm). We compared the blood pressures measured directly in the brachial artery with those obtained by this method and by the conventional auscultatory method in 10 normotensive and 26 hypertensive subjects [12 women and 24 men, mean age 45 +/- 16 years (mean +/- SD), with mean brachial circumference 27 +/- 2.6 cm]. The blood pressure of each subject was measured simultaneously by the direct and indirect methods five times. RESULTS: Errors (differences from direct blood pressure measurements) produced with this new method [SBP -0.8 +/- 3.1 mmHg, (mean +/- SD) DBP 0.6 +/- 2.8 mmHg] were significantly smaller than errors obtained by use of the auscultatory method (SBP -7.4 +/- 5.6 mmHg, DBP 3.0 +/- 7.1 mmHg; P < 0.001, n = 180). The delta-algorithm was easily applicable to an automatic blood pressure measuring device. CONCLUSION: This new photo-oscillometric method was more accurate than the auscultatory method for measuring blood pressure. The delta-algorithm is logical and will be useful for accurate blood pressure measurement.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Hemodynamic factors regulating blood pressure during sleep in patients with mild essential hypertension.

Blood pressure (BP) values (systolic BP = Ps, diastolic BP = Pd, heart rate = HR) fluctuate widely throughout the day, and are at their lowest levels during sleep (sleep-Ps = PS0, sleep-Pd = Pd0, sleep-HR = HR0). We analyzed the relationships among these values using the Windkessel model (logarithmic gradient of diastolic pressure decay A = E/R, E = elastic modulus, R = vascular resistance). Intra-arterial BP and ECG were recorded throughout 24 hours in 23 patients with mild essential hypertension (EH) by telemetry, and EEG was monitored during the night. The waveform of each BP pulse was analyzed by computer. The dye-function method was used to obtain the cardiac output while the subjects were awake, recumbent and during slow-wave sleep on the EEG. A high correlation coefficient (r) was observed between mean BP and square root of E x square root of R during sleep (r = 0.88, p < 0.001). Sleep-HR was determined from the waveform that most effectively permitted peripheral blood flow. Furthermore, the simple algebraic relationships Pd not equal to phi x Pd0 and phi not equal to FI + a1(BI) + b1 (a1, b1 = constant) were observed between Pd0 and different 24 h Pd values [FI = eA(RR0-RR); BI = baroreflex index = RR x Pd(RR0 x Pd0)-1, which was significantly correlated with the baroreflex sensitivity, r = 0.79; RR0 and RR are the RR intervals in Pd0 and Pd waves]. The mean r between Pd0 x phi and the actual Pd over 24 h was 0.91 +/- 0.02 (SD). We conclude that sleep-BP and sleep-HR depend mainly on square root of E x square root of R, m [m = log(e)(Ps/Pd)] and E/R, whereas BP variability (phi) over a 24 h period is related to HR variation, the baroreflex index and E/R in mild EH patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Doxazosin suppresses the morning increase in blood pressure and sympathetic nervous activity in patients with essential hypertension.

To investigate the effects of doxazosin on blood pressure and sympathetic nervous activity, we analyzed the circadian variation of blood pressure and the power spectrum of R-R intervals using an ambulatory multibiomedical monitoring system (TM2425) in 10 untreated outpatients with essential hypertension. After a 2-wk placebo period (P-period), we administered 1 to 4 mg of doxazosin mesilate to the patients for 2 to 6 wk (T-period). We measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), heart rate, R-R intervals, posture, and activity with the use of TM2425. Power spectral analysis of R-R intervals was used to calculate the ratio of low to high frequency components (LF/HF). The values were compared between the P-period and T-period. Although daytime blood pressure significantly decreased during the T-period (SBP, 148.1 +/- 5.9 vs. 130.3 +/- 4.4 mmHg; DBP, 92.3 +/- 3.2 vs. 83.6 +/- 2.6 mmHg, p < 0.01), nighttime DBP did not. The LF/HF of R-R intervals in the daytime (5.8 +/- 2.0 vs. 4.9 +/- 1.2, p < 0.01) and the morning rise in blood pressure also decreased significantly (SBP, 17.5 +/- 9.4 vs. 12.1 +/- 6.5 mmHg; DBP, 12.5 +/- 6.5 vs. 8.3 +/- 5.3 mmHg, p < 0.05). We conclude that doxazosin may suppress the morning rise in blood pressure in association with a decrease in sympathetic nervous activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Circadian variation of hemodynamics and baroreflex functions in patients with essential hypertension.

It is well known that cardiovascular accidents such as myocardial infarction frequently occur in the morning, but their triggering mechanisms are not clear. The present study investigated circadian variations of hemodynamics and baroreflex functions. Twenty-three patients with essential hypertension were studied. Direct blood pressure (BP) and ECG were recorded by telemeter over 24 h, and then computer-analyzed. The pulse-contour method was used to measure cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR). The ratio of low to high frequency components (LF/HF) of the RR-interval on ECG was calculated by power spectral analysis. The baroreflex sensitivity index (BRI) was measured on the basis of the ratio delta RR/delta Ps (delta Ps = spontaneous decrease in systolic BP, delta RR = change in RR). Furthermore, 24-h BP changes were transformed algebraically into positive load component (PC) and negative load component (NC) by using a Windkessel model. The circadian variation of hematocrit (Ht) was also measured. The least squares method was used to determine the time at which the maximum and minimum value of each measurement occurred. Whereas the maximum values for BP and CO occurred in the evening (18:30, 17:00), the maximum values for TPR and LF/HF occurred between 06:30 and 08:00, and the minimum value for BRI occurred at 08:00. PC significantly correlated with Ps, heart rate, and CO (r = 0.81, 0.92, 0.67), and NC significantly correlated with BRI and LF/HF (r = 0.71, 0.64). PC (related to cardiovascular function) reached a maximum and NC (related to baroreflex function) reached a minimum in the late morning (11:00). Ht was highest immediately after the subjects got out of bed. These hemodynamic imbalances may negatively influence coronary blood flow in the morning.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Assessment of the accuracy of indirect blood pressure measurements.

This study assessed the accuracy of indirect blood pressure (BP) measurements by simultaneously performing three kinds of indirect BP measurement on the left arm (auscultatory, microphone and oscillometric methods) and a direct BP measurement on the left arm. The subjects were 34 hospitalized patients, ranging in age from 18 to 73 years (average 47.5 years). Highly significant correlations in systolic or diastolic BP between a given pair of the three indirect methods. The indirect methods underestimated systolic BP and overestimated diastolic BP compared with the direct method, with differences of -12.2 +/- 10.5/+4.6 +/- 7.6 (systolic/diastolic BP) with the oscillometric method, -8.1 +/- 9.7/+1.2 +/- 8.9 with the microphone method and -10.6 +/- 8.1/+3.7 +/- 6.5 mmHg with the auscultatory method. The difference in systolic BP between the auscultatory and direct methods was greater and the difference in diastolic BP was smaller in subjects older than 50 years than in those aged 50 years or less (p < 0.001 for systolic BP, p < 0.05 for diastolic BP). The auscultatory method revealed greater systolic BP in subjects with increased carotid arterial wall stiffness assessed by echoarteriography. Thus, it is concluded that there are inherent differences in BP between the indirect and direct methods which can be attributed to the changes in arterial wall physical properties partly due to aging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Relations between stress in daily life and hypertensive cardiovascular accidents].

Hypertensive patients with cardiovascular disorders can encounter dangerous stress even during ordinary daily activities. Numerous cardiovascular accidents(ischemic heart attacks and strokes) occur during the morning hours, which are, therefore, from this perspective, the most dangerous part of the 24-hour day. During the morning, both blood pressure and heart rate rise suddenly. Total peripheral resistance(TPR) also increases, whereas baroreceptor sensitivity(BRS) decreases in patients with essential hypertension. The following haemodynamics factors may contribute to these phenomena. During sleep, no food or drink is ingested; consequently, plasma volume decreases(hematocrit therefore increases), and the autonomic nervous system becomes unbalanced(the LF/HF ratio in heart rate variability increases); and BI[= Pd x RR/ (Pd0 x RR0)-1] decreases (Pd = diastolic blood pressure, RR = pulse interval, Pd0 = base Pd during sleeping hours, RR0 = base RR during sleeping hours) in the morning. These haemodynamics changes during the morning hours may diminish coronary blood flow.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMed1997

[Methods of 24-hour blood-pressure measurement].

With the recently growing use of portable devices for ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM), 24-hour BP measurement is often being performed even clinically. But such measurements as daytime BPs vary according to body position (sitting or standing) and motion (physical activity), ambient temperature, and the activities of the autonomic nervous system. Since it is capable of measuring all these factors (temperature, body position, acceleration, indirect BP, ECG and power spectral of heart rate variability) simultaneously, the multi-biomedical recorder (TM2425) we have developed is useful in objective evaluations of 24-hour BP values and its cause of BP variation. In addition, it is helpful in assessing minimal sleep-time BP (base BP) the most significant nighttime BP value.

Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory↗
PubMed1997

[Hemodynamic effects of right ventricular outflow pacing].

The effects of right ventricular outflow pacing were studied in 13 patients (mean [+/-SD] 69.8 +/- 8.2 years old). All patients received DDD pacemakers except two patients with implanted VVI pacemakers who had chronic atrial fibrillation. Cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were measured by Swan-Ganz catheter. Pacing rate was fixed at 70-80/min and atrioventricular delay was fixed at 165 msec. When the pacing site was changed from the right ventricular apex to the right ventricular outflow during right ventricular pacing in 11 patients, cardiac output increased from 3.3 +/- 0.6 to 3.4 +/- 0.5 l/min (p < 0.001), and wedge pressure decreased from 9.3 +/- 1.9 to 8.8 +/- 2.0 mmHg (p < 0.05). When the pacing site was changed from the right ventricular apex to the right ventricular outflow during atrioventricular pacing in eight patients, cardiac output increased from 3.9 +/- 0.4 to 4.0 +/- 0.4 l/min (p < 0.05), and wedge pressure decreased from 7.1 +/- 2.3 to 6.6 +/- 2.1 mmHg (p < 0.05). When the pacing site was changed from the right ventricular apex to the right ventricular outflow in seven patients with ejection fraction (EF) greater than 55%, cardiac output increased from 3.6 +/- 0.5 to 3.7 +/- 0.4 l/min (p < 0.05), and in four patients with EF less than 55%, it increased from 2.9 +/- 0.4 to 3.0 +/- 0.4 l/min (p < 0.01). Cardiac function was improved by right ventricular outflow pacing compared to right ventricular apex pacing regardless of the pacing mode or cardiac function.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Effects of insufficient sleep on blood pressure monitored by a new multibiomedical recorder.

Blood pressure varies in relation to factors such as physical activity, body position, ambient temperature, and autonomic nervous system activity. Therefore, we have developed a portable multibiomedical (PMB) recorder that monitors five parameters: indirect blood pressure, physical activity, body position, ambient temperature, and RR interval of the electrocardiogram. In the present study, we applied the PMB recorder over a 24-hour period to study the effect of insufficient sleep on blood pressure in subjects doing extensive overtime work. The parameters listed above were measured by the PMB recorder throughout a normal workday (mean period of sleep, 8 hours) and throughout a day with insufficient sleep (mean period of sleep, 3.6 hours) in 18 male technical workers aged 23 to 48 years old. Blood pressure (mean systolic/diastolic pressure +/- SD) significantly increased the day after a sleep-insufficient night (129 +/- 8/79 +/- 6 mm Hg) compared with the day after a normal night (123 +/- 8/76 +/- 7 mm Hg, P<.05). However, ambient temperature, mean number of steps per minute, and percentage of time spent in a standing position showed no significant difference between these days. Spectral analysis of RR intervals showed that the ratio of the low-frequency component on the RR power spectrum (0.05 to 0.15 Hz) to the high-frequency component (0.15 to 0.40 Hz) was higher on the sleep-insufficient day (2.17 +/- 0.37 versus 1.81 +/- 0.37), as was the urinary excretion of norepinephrine (P<.05). Heart rate was significantly higher on the sleep-insufficient day (81 +/- ll versus 76 +/- 8 beats per minute), after the data of two subjects with abnormal levels of physical activity were excluded (P<.Ol). These data suggest that lack of sleep may increase sympathetic nervous system activity on the following day, leading to increased blood pressure. The PMB recorder was useful for precisely evaluating the relationship between blood pressure and environmental factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Clinical significance of additional ST segment elevation immediately after successful reperfusion in patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction].

The clinical significance of additional ST segment elevation immediately after reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still unclear. The influence of additional ST elevation on myocardial damage was examined in 62 patients with first anterior AMI. All patients had coronary reflow (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction: TIMI grade III) within 6 hours after the onset of infarction and no subsequent reocclusion for at least 14 days. The patients were classified into two groups: group ST (+), 26 patients with additional ST elevation (> or = 5 mm increase in sigma ST in lead V1-V6) immediately after reperfusion, and group ST(-), 36 patients without additional ST elevation. Myocardial damage was estimated by the number of abnormal Q wave before and 1 hour after reperfusion (nQpre and nQpost. There were no significant differences in the elapsed time, ECG indexes before reperfusion and regional wall motion (RWM: SD/chord; SD = standard deviation) in the acute phase and 14 days after the onset between the two groups. Moreover, within each group the patients were classified into two groups on the basis of RWM 14 days after the onset: group A = RWM < -2.5 in group ST (+) (n = 17); group B = RWM > or = -2.5 in group ST(+) (n = 9); group C = RWM < -2.5 in group ST (-) (n = 14); group D = RWM > or = -2.5 in group ST(-) (n = 22). There were no significant differences in the elapsed time between the four groups. nQpre was highest in group C and was lowest in group D (group A: 2.1, group B: 1.9, group C: 4.1, group D: 1.4), and nQpost was highest in group C and group A, and was lowest in group D (group A: 4.1, group B: 2.7, group C: 4.4, group D: 2.0). There was a significant increase in nQ after reperfusion (nQpost-nQpre) in group A and group B, which was greater in group A than in group B. The increase in sigma ST after reperfusion was greater in group A than in group B. There was no significant increase in nQ after reperfusion in group C and in group D, and both nQpre and nQpost were highest in group C, and lowest in group D. Infarct size was larger in group A and in group C than group B and group D, and there was no significant improvement in RWM in group A and in group C. In conclusion, additional ST elevation immediately after reperfusion seems to occur in patients with not so severe myocardial damage before reperfusion, and may reflect reperfusion injury. Additional ST elevation is not observed in patients with preceding extensive myocardial damage which may be irreversible or not still advanced at the time of reperfusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Circadian variation in baroreflex sensitivity evaluated by beat-to-beat hemodynamic change in patients with essential hypertension.

The mechanisms underlying the higher incidence of cardiovascular events in the morning were investigated by studying the circadian variation in hemodynamics and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in 20 untreated inpatients with essential hypertension. Direct blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded using telemetry. Cardiac output (CO) was measured by the dye dilution method. Beat-to-beat stroke volume (SV) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) were obtained using the pulse contour method. The coefficient of regression between HR and systolic BP (SBP) change (delta HR/delta SBP = Ahr) was calculated for in 5 consecutive heart beats during which BP decreased spontaneously and linearly (r > 0.9). Similarly, the delta SV/delta SBP (= Asv) and delta TPR/delta SBP (= Atpr) were also measured, and the negative values of these coefficients (-Ahr, -Asv and -Atpr) were calculated. Comparisons between morning (6-11 a.m.) and evening (4-9 p.m.) values showed no significant difference in mean BP (122 vs 127 mmHg) and HR (72 vs 73 bpm). However, CO (3.7 vs 4.2 l/min), -Ahr (0.28 vs 0.43 bpm/mmHg) and -Asv (-1.5 vs 1.4 ml/mmHg) were lower in the morning than in the evening (p < 0.01). In contrast, TPR (40 vs 34 mmHg/l/min) and -Atpr (1.2 vs -1.4 min/l) were higher in the morning than in the evening (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that lower -Ahr and -Asv and higher TPR and -Atpr may cause stress to the cardiovascular system in the morning in patients with essential hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[A new protein titrator tape for self-assessment by outpatients with proteinuria].

ł- have invented a new dipstick (protein titrator tape) for measuring the volume of protein excreted in the 24-hour urine. The principle of the method is based on the protein error of indicators with the modification of a conventional dipstick test. The dipstick consists of two thick filter papers, containing differently adjusted pH indicators of tetrabromphenol blue, making it possible to detect a wide range of protein concentrations in the urine using a standard color chart that includes twenty color blocks. Two hundred and ninety outpatients had their urine samples assessed with this method as well as with the pyrogallol red test as a comparative study for quantitative measurement of protein concentrations. The new-type dipstick method exhibited good correlation with the results of the pyrogallol red test, especially in the range of protein concentrations from 50 mg/dl to 400 mg/dl, showing the linear equation of "y (Pyrogallol red) = 10.5 + 0.99 x (Dipstick) (r = 0.91, P < 0.01)". Although there was good correlation with the pyrogallol red test at higher concentrations from 400 mg/dl to 1,000 mg/dl, the dipstick method tended to exhibit lower concentrations than those indicated by the counterpart method. The rate of consistency between observers was quite high. This new-type dipstick method will offer a reliable method for patients or their family to assess their protein excretion in the urine every 24 hours at home using a portable urine sampling device.

Adult↗