Comparison of dried blood spot to venous methods for hemoglobin A1c, glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and C-reactive protein.

Author(s): Lacher DA, Berman LE, Chen TC, Porter KS

Publication: Clin Chim Acta, 2013, Vol. 422, Page 54-8

PubMed ID: 23566929 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of using DBS rather than liquid venous blood specimens for the measurement of hemoglobin A1c, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and CRP. DBS were collected by finger prick immediately after venipuncture, dried for at least 4 hours at room temperature, and refrigerated in bags with desiccant for up to 7 days before shipping. The DBS were allowed to come to room temperature before shipping on dry ice. After arriving at the laboratory, DBS were stored with desiccant at -70 degrees C until analysis. Details of whole blood (hemoglobin A1c), plasma (glucose), and serum (HDL and total cholesterol and CRP) acquisition and storage are not provided.

   Summary of Findings:

   Mean glucose levels were higher when measured in plasma rather than in DBS (p<0.01), but when glucose levels were above 5.83 mmol/L, measured levels were lower in plasma than DBS. Glucose levels showed a strong correlation between DBS and plasma. Mean total cholesterol levels were higher when measured in serum specimens than in DBS (p<0.01), and a weak correlation was observed between the specimen types. Mean HDL cholesterol was lower when measured in serum than in DBS (p<0.01), and a weak correlation between serum and DBS levels was observed. There were no significant differences between mean serum and DBS CRP levels or mean whole blood or DBS hemoglobin A1c measurements, and strong and very strong correlations were observed, respectively, between specimen types.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood
   • Bodily Fluid - Plasma
   • Bodily Fluid - Serum

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen
   • Other Preservative

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	HPLC
   Steroid	Enzyme assay
   Steroid	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Carbohydrate	Enzyme assay
   Carbohydrate	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Protein	ELISA
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Method of fluid acquisition	Finger/heel prick sampling Venipuncture
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Blood and blood products	Plasma Serum Whole blood
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	Air-dried Frozen
   Biospecimen Acquisition	Anatomical location of blood draw	Capillary Vein

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