[Time to stop testing adults for microhematuria]

Abstract

This study compares recently published reports with earlier literature on asymptomatic microhematuria in order to determine which conditions we wish to diagnose using a dipstick, how effective the test is in a high risk population, which clinical significance a positive test result has as compared to a negative result, and which diagnostic value the test has in the workup of patients with urinary tract symptoms. The conclusion is that testing for microhematuria does not meet the requirements of a modern screening and diagnostic test. Better alternatives are presently available, and in the near future we will likely see urine tests for specific clinical conditions.