Comparative and stability study of glucose concentrations measured in both sodium fluoride and serum separator tubes

Introduction

Sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate (NaF/KOx) tubes has been regarded as the gold-standard tubes for glucose analysis. Even though their ineffectiveness in immediately inhibiting glycolysis has been reported in several studies especially in the first 1–4h, they are still used in our clinical biochemistry laboratory for glucose measurement. However, in its absence, only serum separator tubes are employed for glucose measurement. We aim to determine whether serum separator tubes (SSTs) can replace NaF/KOx tubes for laboratory measurement of blood glucose and to assess the stability of glucose concentrations for 3 days period.

Methods and findings

NaF/KOx tube type was the reference method while SSTs type was the candidate method for glucose measurement. A total of 50 paired samples collected separately in NaF/KOx tubes and SSTs from healthy adult participants in the Gambia Adults Reference Intervals Study (GARIS) project were used as the project sample size. Following blood collection and separation, the glucose concentration was measured within 2 h, and at 24h, 42h and 72h time-points. Our data analysis showed no significant difference in the mean glucose concentrations between the reference tube and candidate tube types (Mean difference = 0.06 mmol/L; P = 0.38) recorded in the different timepoints. Using growth trajectory and mixed effects model, the study data further showed no significant change in the glucose concentrations (p = 0.25) for three days period.

Conclusions

The study confirms that SSTs can produce similar glucose results when employed in the absence of NaF/KOx tubes. Besides, the glucose concentrations were stable in both tubes for three days when the samples were separated within 2 h and refrigerated in 2–8°C.