A STUDY OF THE STABILITY OF BIOCHEMICALANALYTES IN SERUM OF HEALTHY POPULATION
Authors: Singh Amrinder , Kumar Ashwini , Gupta Anurodh , Misra Pratibha , Mukherjee Bhasker , Negi Rakhi , Ramaswamy Palaniswamy 
Published: September 2024

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 signicant 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 dened 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 signicant. . Results: Urea, creatinine, LDH, uric acid and total cholesterol did not show any statistically
signicant 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 signicant 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 signicant changes for value of sample stored at 24 hour at room temperature with that of
baseline value. Sodium showed signicant changes for value of sample stored at 24 hour at room temperature with that of baseline value. Calcium
values shows that there is signicant 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 signicant changes though clinically it is not signicant, Hence, while analyzing and interpreting results for these
analytes, effect of storage conditions should be kept in mind