Abstract:
This study was aimed to evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity
and time consumed per test of dry chemistry methods compared to wet
methods. The study population was 45 patients presented to the central
laboratory of Khartoum Teaching Hospital for routine investigation. The
biochemical parameters measured were glucose, urea, creatinine and K+ . They
were measured by both wet chemistry methods and dry chemistry methods.
The result showed similar accuracy of dry chemistry methods and wet
chemistry method as far as K+ and creatinine are concerned. The accuracy of
dry chemistry methods for urea and glucose were less than the accuracy of the
wet chemistry methods.
The sensitivity and specificity of the dry chemistry methods were less
than the sensitivity and specificity of wet chemistry methods. However the
time consumed per test of dry chemistry is less than that of the wet chemistry.
Although the cost per test in the dry chemistry methods is higher than that of
the wet chemistry methods. The instrument use in the dry chemistry
(Reflotron) is cheaper than that used in the wet chemistry (Hitachi).
We came to conclusion that the dry chemistry can be used as a bed site
test or emergency test which can be confirmed further by wet chemistry
methods.
