Urine tests are useful tools for diagnosing many disorders, including those that cause chronic or acute pain. They detect abnormally high or low levels of substances that may indicate a variety of conditions, such as gout, lupus, Reiter’s syndrome, scleroderma, urinary tract infections and prostatitis.

In patients with gout, urine tests may also be used to monitor levels of uric acid and to check for complications such as kidney stones. When complications are detected early, the onset of more serious conditions, such as kidney impairment, may be prevented or delayed.

Urinalysis involves normal urination, and most tests require one sample. Other tests collect urine over a 24-hour period, overnight or during a specific period, such as four hours. Most urine tests involve little or no preparation beforehand, and people can immediately return to their daily activities afterward.

Different urine tests may require different methods of analysis. Urinalysis may include:

• Visual examination
• Test strip examination
• Microscopic examination
• Culture