{"title":"Multivariate approaches to improve the interpretation of laboratory data.","authors":"Mario Plebani","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-1071","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-1071","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144945352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rethinking the use of \"one-way ANOVA\" in CLSI EP15-A3 - a call for terminological precision and methodological clarity.","authors":"Chaochao Ma, Ling Qiu","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-1034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2025-1034","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144944960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Peirong Chen, Xing Chen, Yuanzhi Xia, Xiaoliang Liang, Qiuyi Hong
{"title":"From assessment to action: experience from a quality improvement initiative integrating indicator evaluation and adverse event analysis in a clinical laboratory.","authors":"Peirong Chen, Xing Chen, Yuanzhi Xia, Xiaoliang Liang, Qiuyi Hong","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0656","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0656","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>ISO 15189:2022 recommends the use of quality indicators (QIs) to monitor laboratory performance and focuses on risk management and continual improvement. This study aims to compare hospital laboratory data with national and international quality specifications and to share experiences in quality improvement and adverse event management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated 15 QIs from 2023 by comparing their percentages and sigma levels with those of national benchmarks to identify performance gaps. On the basis of this analysis, a series of data-driven continuous improvement projects were implemented in 2024. Adverse events were closely monitored and corrective actions were taken accordingly. Data from 2023 to 2024 were compared with national and international specifications, and statistical analysis was conducted using R Studio.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Excluding internal quality control and interlaboratory comparison indicators, the remaining 13 QIs generally exhibited acceptable performance (σ>3.5). Statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in seven indicators. Overall, laboratory performance was ranked relatively low at the national level but favourably at the international level. The analysis of 15 adverse events revealed that errors occurred across all testing phases and involved multiple departments.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The quality improvement initiatives implemented in 2024 yielded measurable improvements. Effective communication and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for reducing errors and enhancing laboratory performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Estimation of measurement uncertainty for free drug concentrations using ultrafiltration.","authors":"Raúl Rigo-Bonnin, Virgínia Mas-Bosch, Francesca Canalias","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0736","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0736","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of measurement uncertainty of 11 serum proteins measured by immunoturbidimetric methods according to ISO/TS 20914: a 1-year laboratory data analysis.","authors":"Emine Feyza Yurt, Medine Alpdemir, Mehmet Şeneş","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0654","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0654","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Measurement uncertainty (MU) plays an important role in the interpretation of laboratory results, but data on serum proteins analyzed by immunoturbidimetry according to ISO/TS 20914 are limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>MU of 11 serum proteins, including CRP, RF, ASO, IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and β2-microglobulin, were estimated using 1-year internal quality control (IQC) data obtained from Roche Cobas analyzers. MU was calculated using uncertainty and calibrator uncertainty according to ISO/TS 20914, assuming negligible deviation from external quality assessment data. Analytical performance specification (APS) models were selected according to the EFLM APS selection criteria, and maximum allowable uncertainty (MAU) values were determined based on sources such as EFLM models and literature.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>IgA and RF were the only two analytes that met the required and minimum MAU values, respectively, at both IQC levels. MU values for CRP, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and β2-microglobulin exceeded targets at both levels. MU for C3, C4, IgG, and IgM exceeded the minimum MAU at IQC1 but remained acceptable at IQC2. MU values for ASO were calculated as 10.01 and 7.22 % but could not be evaluated due to a lack of reference data. Assay precision should be improved for CRP, IgG, IgM, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and β2-microglobulin. Use of updated calibration materials for CRP may help reduce MU.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Maintaining acceptable precision over a long period remains a challenge for serum proteins analyzed by immunoturbidimetry, highlighting the need for methodological improvements and stricter quality monitoring. In this context, MU assessment is crucial.</p>","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bruno Mario Cesana, Simona da Molin, Nuthar Jassam, Julian H Barth, Sabrina Buoro, Martina Tosi, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Santica Marcovina, Simona Ferraro
{"title":"Assessing the harmonization of current total vitamin B12 measurement methods: relevance and implications.","authors":"Bruno Mario Cesana, Simona da Molin, Nuthar Jassam, Julian H Barth, Sabrina Buoro, Martina Tosi, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Santica Marcovina, Simona Ferraro","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0939","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0939","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended thresholds for total vitamin B12 (B12) assays with interchangeable results for identifying B12 deficiency. We assessed the agreement between B12 methods, to evaluate whether the thresholds may be assumed applicable to all assays.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 19 External Quality Assessment (EQA) exercises (1791 determinations) based on human subjects-pool materials and 97 serum samples were retrieved to characterize the agreement between Alinity and Architect (Abbott Diagnostics), Access DXi (Beckman Coulter Diagnostics), Atellica and ADVIA Centaur (Siemens Healthcare Solution) compared to Cobas (Roche Diagnostics), considered as comparator because its calibrator traceability to the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Standard (IS) code 03/178. Ordinary least squares and Bland-Altman were used for this purpose.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Abbott and Beckman methods overestimated and underestimated, respectively, B12 concentrations vs. Roche and the other methods. We reported similar systematic or proportional error patterns between EQA and serum samples. Only Beckman was affected by both errors. Due to the wide Limit of Agreement Interval, we cannot confidently conclude on the agreement between Roche and the other methods. However, the inter-method bias was well lower than the desirable goal of 9.4 % for Abbott Architect and also lower for Siemens ADVIA Centaur.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The recommended thresholds for serum total B12 should not be assumed applicable to all assays, due to the poor agreement among the currently available methods, a limitation that persists despite the release of the WHO IS 03/178.</p>","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Caterina Maria Gambino, Luisa Agnello, Fabio Del Ben, Anna Maria Ciaccio, Salvatore Milano, Roberta Vassallo, Francesco Cacciabaudo, Aurelio Seidita, Pasquale Mansueto, Antonio Carroccio, Marcello Ciaccio
{"title":"Evaluating the performance of a multiparametric IgA assay for celiac disease diagnosis.","authors":"Caterina Maria Gambino, Luisa Agnello, Fabio Del Ben, Anna Maria Ciaccio, Salvatore Milano, Roberta Vassallo, Francesco Cacciabaudo, Aurelio Seidita, Pasquale Mansueto, Antonio Carroccio, Marcello Ciaccio","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0705","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0705","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. Accurate diagnosis remains challenging due to clinical heterogeneity and reliance on invasive biopsy. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a novel multiparametric membrane-based enzyme immunoassay (AESKUBLOTS<sup>®</sup>) for the simultaneous detection of IgA antibodies targeting eight CD-related antigens.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective, single-centre study was conducted on 180 participants: 80 with CD (30 untreated, 50 on gluten-free diet, GFD), 50 with non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS), and 50 healthy controls (HC). Serum samples were analysed using the AESKU assay. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed via ROC curve analysis and 5-fold cross-validation, examining individual markers and a composite antibody score.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The assay demonstrated high diagnostic performance, particularly in untreated CD patients. Anti-tTG neo IgA showed the highest accuracy (AUC=0.93), followed by anti-tTG IgA (AUC=0.92). A composite score of ≥4 positive markers yielded an AUC of 0.99, while ≥6 positive markers achieved 100 % specificity and PPV, with 76.7 % sensitivity. Notably, anti-mTG IgA levels were elevated in all CD patients regardless of diet, suggesting potential utility in monitoring or identifying ongoing mucosal immune activity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This multiparametric IgA assay offers a sensitive, specific, and non-invasive diagnostic tool for CD. Larger, prospective studies are warranted to confirm the clinical utility and expand the applicability to broader populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christa Cobbaert, Christian Schweiger, Christoph Buchta, Thomas Streichert, Florent Vanstapel, Francois Mullier, Lucas Biaggini, Ettore Capoluongo, Patrick Bossuyt, Harjit Pal Bhattoa, Tom Melvin, Michael Neumaier
{"title":"Urgent call to the European Commission to simplify and contextualize IVDR Article 5.5 for tailored and precision diagnostics.","authors":"Christa Cobbaert, Christian Schweiger, Christoph Buchta, Thomas Streichert, Florent Vanstapel, Francois Mullier, Lucas Biaggini, Ettore Capoluongo, Patrick Bossuyt, Harjit Pal Bhattoa, Tom Melvin, Michael Neumaier","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-1033","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-1033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The European Commission (EC) started targeted evaluations and public consultations regarding the EU IVDR 2017/746 to assess its effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and EU-added value. The goal is to identify implementation challenges and unintended consequences, experienced by either IVD-manufacturers that put CE-IVDs on the EU market or by medical laboratories that establish and operate in-house-IVDs (IH-IVDs) in their healthcare institution (network). Based on stakeholder feedback the EC aims to be informed about potential regulatory revisions by late 2025. As IH-IVDs, used in different modes, have a vital role in the EU healthcare system, the authors make the statement that Article 5.5 of the IVDR should be systemically amended, removing conditions (a) and (d) through (i) for in-house tests, while retaining conditions (b) and (c). Having the prime objectives of the IVDR in mind, i.e. patient safety and clinical utility, this opinion paper urges the EC to revise IVDR Article 5.5 to prevent disservices to patients and caregivers by taking into account available quality management infrastructure in ISO 15189:2022 accredited medical laboratories and guaranteed professionality of registered laboratory specialists, both already monitored at the level of the EU member states. By abandoning unnecessary, non-valuable requirements from Article 5.5 overregulation is prevented and the sustainability of important specialty and orphan tests, essential for patients with rare diseases, is guaranteed.</p>","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144871780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joyce Y Xu, Didier Falconnet, Tarah van den Berkmortel, Sandra de la Rosa, Vincent Linder, Robert de Jonge, Andreas Pasch, Marc G Vervloet, Henrike M Hamer
{"title":"Verification of the T50 Calciprotein Crystallization test: bias estimation and interferences.","authors":"Joyce Y Xu, Didier Falconnet, Tarah van den Berkmortel, Sandra de la Rosa, Vincent Linder, Robert de Jonge, Andreas Pasch, Marc G Vervloet, Henrike M Hamer","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0600","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0600","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The T50 Calciprotein Crystallization test (T50 test) is a novel blood-based <i>in vitro</i> diagnostic assay that determines the calciprotein crystallization time in patients. It is based on the one-half maximum transition time of calciprotein particle 1 (CPP1) to calciprotein particle 2 (CPP2) in serum, as detected by nephelometry. To date, the T50 test has only been performed at Calciscon AG, where the assay has been developed and is manufactured. The aim of this study was to compare the agreement and precision of the T50 test in a routine clinical laboratory. Additionally, the interference of free hemoglobin, bilirubin, lipid and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was analyzed in the T50 test.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Serum samples were measured at both laboratory sites to determine the agreement. The CLSI EP15-A3 protocol was used to evaluate the precision. Interference was analyzed by spiking pooled serum samples with interfering analytes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both laboratories showed excellent agreement in the T50 values (y=1.002x-4). Furthermore, high precision was observed for the clinically relevant lower range of T50 with a total variation coefficient of 6.4 %. Serum samples with mid and higher ranges of T50 failed the CLSI precision criteria with a total variance of 10.1 % and 6.2 %, respectively. Lastly, no interferences were observed within the normally observed clinical serum concentrations of free hemoglobin, bilirubin, lipid, and LMWH.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The T50 test was successfully implemented in a routine laboratory setting. Additionally, the precision and interference observed in this study largely agreed with the manufacturer's claims.</p>","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shasha Li, Kai Zhang, Hongli Liu, Miaoyang Chen, Jialuo Wang, Yuan Yang, Yuxiang Gong, Xing Liu, Yongfeng Yang
{"title":"Clinical significance of anti-mitochondrial antibodies and PBC-specific anti-nuclear antibodies in evaluating atypical primary biliary cholangitis with normal alkaline phosphatase levels.","authors":"Shasha Li, Kai Zhang, Hongli Liu, Miaoyang Chen, Jialuo Wang, Yuan Yang, Yuxiang Gong, Xing Liu, Yongfeng Yang","doi":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0357","DOIUrl":"10.1515/cclm-2025-0357","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The clinical implications of positive anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) and/or primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)-specific anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) in patients with normal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) remain uncertain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients at The Second Hospital of Nanjing with positive AMAs/PBC-ANAs and normal ALP levels from January 2016 to July 2024 were categorized into three groups based on autoantibody profiles: [AMA/AMA-M2]<sup>+</sup>[gp210/sp100]<sup>+</sup>, [AMA/AMA-M2]<sup>+</sup>[gp210/sp100]<sup>-</sup>, and [AMA/AMA-M2]<sup>-</sup>[gp210/sp100]<sup>+</sup>. The study compared PBC diagnostic rates, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, and pathology across these groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 53.3 % (88/165) of the patients showed cholangitis activity diagnosed of PBC. The PBC diagnosis rate in the three groups was 82.1 % (23/28), 48.4 % (46/95), and 45.2 % (19/42) respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated a significant association between the absence of liver disease-related etiology (p<0.001), baseline serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) exceeding 0.796 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) (p<0.001), and the diagnosis of PBC as determined by liver biopsy. In the three groups of non-PBC patients, the major pathological injury patterns were minor nonspecific reactive changes (40.0 %/28.6 %/39.1 %), inflammation (40.0 %/24.5 %/47.8 %), and fatty changes (20 %/20.4 %/4.3 %). The diagnosis included viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, vascular liver disorders, drug-induced liver injury, congenital hepatic fibrosis, and porphyria.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Over 50 % of patients with positive PBC-specific antibodies and normal ALP have PBC. Liver biopsy is recommended when AMAs and/or PBC-specific ANAs are positive, especially when baseline serum IgM exceeds 0.796 × ULN, and when other etiologies related to liver disease are absent. The area under the curve (AUC) for these three indicators reaches 0.84.</p>","PeriodicalId":10390,"journal":{"name":"Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}