[Comparison of precipitation and direct methods for HDL-C assay]

ABSTRACT

HDL-C measurement is important in cardiovascular diseases evaluation. Precipitation method is common procedure in this measurement, but direct method widely used nowadays. The aim of the present study was to compare the results of the two aforementioned techniques and their correlation. During August 2006, serum HDL-C of 212 subjects [98 male, 114 female with the mean age of 39 +/- 20 year] referring for Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study were determined by direct and precipitation methods simultaneously. The HDL-C levels of the direct and precipitation methods were 43.5 +/- 10.2 and 45.2 +/- 10.9 mg/dl, respectively. Direct method had 3.9% higher value results [P=0.000] and two methods had good correlation [r=0.943]. Intraassay coefficient variation [CV] of precipitation and direct method were 5.6% and 3.3%, respectively. Assay time of direct method was half of precipitation method and its cost was 3 folds higher. The study revealed that the results of direct HDL-C method had good correlation with the precipitation method, its precision and speed was more acceptable. After moderating the price of direct method, it will be a good substitution for precipitating method: