Are changes in blood-ethanol concentration during storage analytically significant? Importance of method imprecision.
Author(s): Jones AW
Publication: Clin Chem Lab Med, 2007, Vol. 45, Page 1299-304
PubMed ID: 17727317 PubMed Review Paper? No
Suggested by: ISBER
Purpose of Paper
The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effects of refrigerated storage and tube reopening on blood ethanol concentrations (BEC).
Conclusion of Paper
BEC declined from an average of 1.64 mg/g to 1.535 mg/g corresponding to an average monthly decrease of 0.028 mg/g. The decrease in BEC correlated with the storage duration (r=0.44 p<0.001) and initial BEC (r=0.23, p<0.01), but a large variability was noted between tubes. In tubes stored for 6.5 months, a larger decrease in BEC was observed in tubes that were opened 17 times (0.217 mg/g) compared with tubes that were not opened (0.101 mg/g).
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of refrigerated storage and tube reopening on BEC in specimens from drunk drivers.
Summary of Findings:
BEC declined from an average of 1.64 mg/g to 1.535 mg/g corresponding to an average monthly decrease of 0.028 mg/g. The decrease in BEC correlated with the storage duration (r=0.44 p<0.001) and initial BEC (r=0.23, p<0.01), but a large variability was noted between tubes. In tubes stored for 6.5 months, a larger decrease in BEC was observed in tubes that were opened 17 times (0.217 mg/g) compared with tubes that were not opened (0.101 mg/g).
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- Other Preservative
Diagnoses:
- Other diagnoses
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Small molecule Headspace gas chromatography Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Storage Storage duration 0 days
0-50 days
50-100 days
100-150 days
150-200 days
200-250 days
250-300 days
300-350 days
350-400 days
6.5 months
Storage Storage temperature 4 degrees C
Storage Storage conditions Unopened tube
Opened 17 times
Biospecimen Acquisition Anticoagulant Sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate
Preaquisition Diagnosis/ patient condition Alcohol intoxication