Camila Peña1, Manuela Ortiz2, Javier Voisin3, Alexis Peralta2, Viviana Balboa2, Florencia Delgado4. 1. Sección de Hematología, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago, Chile. 2. Laboratorio Reumatología/Inmunología, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago, Chile. 3. Servicio de Medicina, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago, Chile. 4. The Binding Site, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: International guidelines suggest a screening panel for monoclonal gammopathies that contains serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), free light chain (FLC) measurements and immunofixation. This combination provides the possibility of a timely accurate diagnosis. AIM: To evaluate the sensibility of a simple screening panel (SPE + FLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 191 consecutive serum samples of patients with a suspected monoclonal gammopathy (MG). RESULTS: Seventy five patients were diagnosed with MG. The sensitivity and specificity of the combination of SPE + FLC for the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy were 95% (95% confidence intervals 89-99) and 99% (95% confidence intervals 96-100), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to validate the international recommendations on the diagnostic accuracy of this simple combination of two tests in serum for monoclonal gammopathy.
BACKGROUND: International guidelines suggest a screening panel for monoclonal gammopathies that contains serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), free light chain (FLC) measurements and immunofixation. This combination provides the possibility of a timely accurate diagnosis. AIM: To evaluate the sensibility of a simple screening panel (SPE + FLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 191 consecutive serum samples of patients with a suspected monoclonal gammopathy (MG). RESULTS: Seventy five patients were diagnosed with MG. The sensitivity and specificity of the combination of SPE + FLC for the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy were 95% (95% confidence intervals 89-99) and 99% (95% confidence intervals 96-100), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to validate the international recommendations on the diagnostic accuracy of this simple combination of two tests in serum for monoclonal gammopathy.