Suparak S, Pratumvinit B, Ngueanchanthong K, Unpol P, Thanomsakyuth A, Setthaudom C, Kunakorn M, Rojanawiwat A, Uppapong B. External quality assessment scheme for HbA1c assays in Thailand: A 5-year experience.
Pract Lab Med 2022;
31:e00288. [PMID:
35814312 PMCID:
PMC9260332 DOI:
10.1016/j.plabm.2022.e00288]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Thailand National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) for HbA1c was established to evaluate the quality of HbA1c assays in Thailand in 2016.
Methods
HbA1c results from participating laboratories were compared to the target value assigned by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) reference system.
Results
The pass rates of participating laboratories during 2016–2020 were72–88%. The mean bias ranged between −0.19 and 0.20% of HbA1c. SD ranged from 0.30 to 1.08% of HbA1c. The overall coefficients of variation ranged from 4.46-15.66%.
Conclusions
Performance evaluation using IFCC assigned values indicated that different assay methods had an effect on HbA1c results. Participation in external quality assessment programs for HbA1c analysis is essential for improving laboratory quality and benefiting patient management.
This study summarized the performance evaluation of HbA1c assays using IFCC assigned values during a 5 year period in Thailand.
The most interesting finding was that the quality of HbA1c analysis varied depending on the assay method used.
This finding should encourage clinical laboratories, manufacturers, and proficiency testing providers to work together to improve laboratory quality.
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