The usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional survey
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this study we evaluated the usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Dutch adults were invited by the Dutch Kidney Foundation to order a free...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2009-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/9/381 |
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| author | Schellevis François G Nielen Markus MJ Verheij Robert A |
| author_facet | Schellevis François G Nielen Markus MJ Verheij Robert A |
| author_sort | Schellevis François G |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this study we evaluated the usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Dutch adults were invited by the Dutch Kidney Foundation to order a free albuminuria self-test, consisting of three semi quantitative dipstick tests, via the Internet. Results were classified in negative, low-positive and high-positive. In case of a positive test result, the tester was recommended to visit a GP for supplementary examination and/or treatment. Participants of the programme were sent a questionnaire for evaluation by e-mail eight weeks after receiving the self-test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the first 30 days of the self-test programme, 996,927 self-tests were ordered. In total, 71,714 participants completed the questionnaire: 79% had a negative test result and 21% had a positive test result (20% low-positive and 1% high-positive). Of the positive testers, 25% visited a GP after testing for albuminuria. Among the 3,983 participants who visited a GP, 193 new diseases were detected: 25 chronic renal failure, 152 hypertension and 31 diabetes mellitus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Using a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population resulted in a large response and a number of newly detected diseases. However, we found a very high percentage of positive testers of which probably a large part is false positive. Furthermore, only a small part of the positive testers visited a GP for additional examination and/or treatment. The efficiency of such a campaign could be increased by embedding the testing in health care to reduce the number of false-positive results and to ensure follow-up and treatment in case of a positive test result.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T10:15:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5cd136e22e984087ad5a09e7701a516f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T10:15:50Z |
| publishDate | 2009-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-5cd136e22e984087ad5a09e7701a516f2022-12-22T00:27:41ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582009-10-019138110.1186/1471-2458-9-381The usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional surveySchellevis François GNielen Markus MJVerheij Robert A<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this study we evaluated the usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Dutch adults were invited by the Dutch Kidney Foundation to order a free albuminuria self-test, consisting of three semi quantitative dipstick tests, via the Internet. Results were classified in negative, low-positive and high-positive. In case of a positive test result, the tester was recommended to visit a GP for supplementary examination and/or treatment. Participants of the programme were sent a questionnaire for evaluation by e-mail eight weeks after receiving the self-test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the first 30 days of the self-test programme, 996,927 self-tests were ordered. In total, 71,714 participants completed the questionnaire: 79% had a negative test result and 21% had a positive test result (20% low-positive and 1% high-positive). Of the positive testers, 25% visited a GP after testing for albuminuria. Among the 3,983 participants who visited a GP, 193 new diseases were detected: 25 chronic renal failure, 152 hypertension and 31 diabetes mellitus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Using a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population resulted in a large response and a number of newly detected diseases. However, we found a very high percentage of positive testers of which probably a large part is false positive. Furthermore, only a small part of the positive testers visited a GP for additional examination and/or treatment. The efficiency of such a campaign could be increased by embedding the testing in health care to reduce the number of false-positive results and to ensure follow-up and treatment in case of a positive test result.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/9/381 |
| spellingShingle | Schellevis François G Nielen Markus MJ Verheij Robert A The usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional survey BMC Public Health |
| title | The usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | The usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | The usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | The usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | The usefulness of a free self-test for screening albuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | usefulness of a free self test for screening albuminuria in the general population a cross sectional survey |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/9/381 |
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