Peter Ridefelt1, Torbjörn Åkerfeldt2, Johanna Helmersson-Karlqvist2. 1. Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: peter.ridefelt@medsci.uu.se. 2. Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in plasma glucose measurements in an unselected patient population after a change of recommendation from NaF to citrate blood collection vacuum tubes. DESIGN AND METHODS: Glucose (n=460 751) and HbA1c (n=55 190) determinations during a period of approximately three years before and after the tube change were extracted from a laboratory information system. RESULTS: Median values for plasma glucose determinations increased from 6.03 before to 6.28mmol/L after the tube change. The proportion of glucose determinations above the WHO limit for impaired fasting glucose (6.1mmol/L) and the medical decision limit for diabetes (7.0mmol/L) increased from 48.1 to 55.4% after the change. CONCLUSIONS: The change from NaF to citrate tubes caused higher glucose values, and consequently more glucose determinations above the decision limit for diabetes.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in plasma glucose measurements in an unselected patient population after a change of recommendation from NaF to citrate blood collection vacuum tubes. DESIGN AND METHODS: Glucose (n=460 751) and HbA1c (n=55 190) determinations during a period of approximately three years before and after the tube change were extracted from a laboratory information system. RESULTS: Median values for plasma glucose determinations increased from 6.03 before to 6.28mmol/L after the tube change. The proportion of glucose determinations above the WHO limit for impaired fasting glucose (6.1mmol/L) and the medical decision limit for diabetes (7.0mmol/L) increased from 48.1 to 55.4% after the change. CONCLUSIONS: The change from NaF to citrate tubes caused higher glucose values, and consequently more glucose determinations above the decision limit for diabetes.