Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Background: This is a lab based study and the study was carried out to study the stability of routine biochemical analytes in serum of healthy population. Errors in the lab at preanalytical phase contribute to a signicant number. This type of error can be minimized by subjecting sample to a proper storage and transport. Any variation in the storage condition may lead to erroneous result. Aim: To study serum stability of routine biochemical parameters in a healthy population Methods: This is an experimental study (laboratory based study). 51 healthy personnel from the tertiary care centre of Defence establishment in Pune during the study period (Aug 2022 to Sep 2022) were included in the study. Random sampling of the subjects was done from dened study population. 5 ml of venous blood was collected in yellow topped vacutainer and was allowed to clot for 1 hour. Thereafter, serum was separated by centrifuging the sample at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. Total of 5 aliquotes of serum was made. 2 aliquotes were kept in refrigerator at 4 degree Celsius and 3 aliquotes were kept at room temperature. First analysis of all the analytes including urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Calcium, phosphorous, uric acid and total cholesterol were made within 1 hour of serum separation. Second analysis of all the analytes were made after 5 hours of serum separation from both the aliquots kept at room temperature and in refrigerator similarly third aliquots from refrigerator and room temperature were analyzed after 24 hours of serum separation. Statistical analysis was performed using GraPad Prism Version 9 software. One way ANOVA was applied for multiple comparisons. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically signicant. . Results: Urea, creatinine, LDH, uric acid and total cholesterol did not show any statistically signicant variation in the values when stored at room temperature up to 24 hours or is refrigerated at 4 degree Celsius up to 24 hours. Total protein values shows that there is signicant differences in sample stored at 24 hours at 4 degree Celsius when compared to sample analysed within 1 hour of serum separation (baseline). Potassium showed signicant changes for value of sample stored at 24 hour at room temperature with that of baseline value. Sodium showed signicant changes for value of sample stored at 24 hour at room temperature with that of baseline value. Calcium values shows that there is signicant changes for sample stored at 24 hours at 4 degree Celsius with that sample analysed within 1 hour of serum separation. Conclusion: It is observed in present study that urea, creatinine, LDH, uric acid and total cholesterol can be analysed without any changes in the quality of reports when stored at room temperature or is refrigerated at 4 degree Celsius. Values of total protein, potassium, sodium and calcium showed statistically signicant changes though clinically it is not signicant, Hence, while analyzing and interpreting results for these analytes, effect of storage conditions should be kept in mind
Singh et al. (Thu,) studied this question.