When screening for bacteriuria in 615 elderly people was compared to standard methods of bacterial culture, the Ames Multistix 10 dipstick was more effective than the BM Test 7. Tests for nitrite and leucocyte esterase on the Multistix 10 had a higher sensitivity and specificity than tests for blood and protein only. Using a reflectance meter increased the sensitivity of the Multistix 10 to 80.6%. Of five common urinary symptoms only incontinence was significantly more frequent in patients with bacteriuria.