Rapid diagnostic tests for glucosuria are still influenced by ascorbic acid

Abstract

The influence of ascorbic acid on commercial rapid diagnostic tests for glucosuria is demonstrated in vitro. Although much work has been done to stabilize the tests against such interference, and although manufacturers of test strips declare their products now to be fairly stable against ascorbic acid ‘at higher glucose levels’, all the investigated commercial rapid diagnostic tests for glucose at the lower pathological range of glucosuria were substantially influenced by ascorbic acid at potentially physiological concentrations.

Key-words:

• ascorbic acid interference
• glucosuria
• rapid diagnostic tests