Procedimiento para la interpretación de un cambio entre dos valores consecutivos de una magnitud biológica

Biological reference intervals do not provide sufficient information for the interpretation of a change between two consecutive measured values of a biological quantity because, for the vast majority of quantities, the intra-individual biological variability is smaller than the inter-individual biological variability. Taking into account this situation, the laboratory could provide, in conjunction with the reference intervals, additional information to objectively estimate the significance of a change in the values of a biological quantity. In this sense, the most adequate way to interpret the change must be made on the basis of the uncertainty concept, since it allows taking into account all the possible sources of variation to which the measured values are subjected. This document, based on national and international guidelines, describes a procedure for the interpretation of a change between two consecutive values of a biological quantity, based on the study of the various sources of uncertainty that affect it.