Cancer Diagnosis Program | Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research Branch

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Evaluation, including effects of storage and repeated freezing and thawing, of a method for measurement of urinary creatinine.

Author(s): Garde AH, Hansen AM, Kristiansen J

Publication: Scand J Clin Lab Invest, 2003, Vol. 63, Page 521-4

PubMed ID: 14743962 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   This study investigated the effects of storage temperature and freeze-thaw cycles on creatinine levels in urine. Ten urine specimens from 6 individuals with 5.5 – 19.6 mmol creatinine/L (diagnosis not specified) was aliquoted for storage at room temperature, 5, -20 and -80˚C and analyzed 12 times over the course of 3 months. To investigate the effects of freeze-thaw cycling aliquots were subjected to 1-4 cycles of freezing at -20˚C and thawing at room temperature over the course of 2 weeks. Levels of creatinine were determined using the Jaffe method on a clinical chemistry analyzer.

   Summary of Findings:

   Creatinine levels remained constant over three months of storage at -20˚C or -80˚C, but declined by 3% per week when stored at room temperature and increased by 0.5% per week when stored at 5˚C. While there was no effect on creatinine levels of a single freeze-thaw cycle, levels were 94% of those in fresh urine after 2 cycles (P=0.02), 91% of those in fresh urine after 3 cycles (P<0.001), and 86% of those in fresh urine after 4 cycles (P<0.001). 

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Urine

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)
   • Other Preservative
   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Storage duration	0-90 days
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	Refrigeration Frozen None (fresh)
   Storage	Freeze/thaw cycling	0 cycles 1 cycle 2 cycles 3 cycles 4 cycles
   Storage	Storage temperature	Room temperature 5˚C -20˚C -80˚C

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