What is the clinical utility of urinalysis in diagnosing urosepsis as a cause of acute confusion?
Date First Published:
July 5, 2010
Last Updated:
July 8, 2010
Report by:
Rachel Alstead, Medical Student (MRI)
Three-Part Question:
In [adults presenting with acute confusion] what is [the clinical utility of MSU and urine dipstick] at [diagnosing urosepsis as a cause of the confusion] ?
Clinical Scenario:
A 82 year old female presents at the emergency department acutely confused, with no obvious signs as to the cause. You wonder whether to test her urine to aid to the diagnosis of her confusion.
Search Strategy:
MEDLINE 1950 to June week 4 2010, EMBASE 1980 to 2010 week 26 and the COCHRANE LIBRARY.
Search Details:
(exp confusion/ OR exp delirium/) AND (exp urinalysis/ OR MSU.mp.) limit to human and English language
Outcome:
4 papers found on Medline, none of which were relevant. 153 papers found on Embase, none of which where relevant.
Author Commentary:
There were no papers available on this topic. However, urinosepis is a common cause of delirium, especially in the elderly.
Bottom Line:
There is no evidence available that is able to answer this question, refer to local guidelines.