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Analysis of Creatinine Levels in Urinalysis Testing

NCJ Number
162744
Author(s)
M J Elbert
Date Published
1996
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of a study designed to determine the pervasiveness of possible "flushing" to avoid detection of illegal drug use.
Abstract
"Flushing" involves diluting the system with large amounts of liquids prior to the submission of a sample to avoid the detection of illegal drug use. Pharmchem measures the amount of "creatinine" in the urinalysis sample when the adulteration special test is requested. Creatinine is a substance contained in skeletal muscle and is affected by daily factors such as hydration, exercise, dietary intake of protein, and kidney functions. Since the amount of creatinine produced by people is constant and susceptible to dilution by ingesting large amounts of liquids or the use of diuretics, its measurement has been offered by Pharmchem and other experts as the best predictive test to monitor flushing. The current study examined the creatinine levels of 44 offenders who were receiving outpatient drug treatment services. Although Pharmchem considers urinalysis samples that contain creatinine levels measured at or below 20 milligrams per deciliter dilute, this study selected only those samples that registered readings at or below 10 mg/dl to more effectively discredit possible medical or "normal drinking" pattern explanations. Each offender that submitted a reading at or below the selected cutoff was profiled by using presentence report data and supervision performance information. The research results identified seven offenders (15.9 percent) of the 44- member study group with creatinine levels at or below the cutoff range. This paper discusses the implications of these findings as well as other "test beating" products associated with urinalysis. 8 references

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