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Validation of a Blood Stability Score as an easy‐to‐use blood sample quality index
Author(s) -
Robinson N.,
Kirchbichler A.,
Banuls O.,
Mader M.,
Aikin R.,
Sottas P.E.,
D'Onofrio G.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of laboratory hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.705
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1751-553X
pISSN - 1751-5521
DOI - 10.1111/ijlh.12557
Subject(s) - sample (material) , stability (learning theory) , statistics , blood preservation , sample size determination , computer science , blood collection , reliability engineering , mathematics , medicine , chromatography , chemistry , emergency medicine , engineering , andrology , machine learning
Summary Introduction The athlete biological passport (ABP) was implemented based on conservative requirements on sample storage and transport to ensure blood integrity. Blood remains stable over periods longer than the currently employed time limits. We investigated whether time and temperature requirements for sample storage can be used in a flexible model rather than based on fixed limits. Methods A literature review was performed analyzing the stability blood variables. A Blood Stability Score (BSS) was derived to integrate the direct dependence of the degradation rate on temperature. A validation study was then carried out in real testing conditions with antidoping blood samples. Upon sample reception, a full blood count was obtained, and then again after refrigeration for an extended period. Results A BSS formula integrating storage temperature (T) and collection to analysis time (CAT) was developed: BSS = CAT + 3 × T. In real testing conditions, negligible differences were observed for some variable as BSS values approached a score of 95, while no difference was observed in HGB and RET%. Conclusion This study confirms that samples can be transported for longer periods and that the adaptive time and temperature approach as formalized in a rule that the BSS should not exceed 85 guarantees the stability of RBC variables used in the ABP.