Influence of Analytical Quality and Preanalytical Variations on Measurements of Cholesterol in Screening Programmes

Abstract

In screening programmes one should distinguish between the traditional bimodal distributions of results and a unimodal distribution as the basis for interpretation. A model for evaluation of the effects of biological within-subject and preanalytical variation as well as analytical variation is described. It is concluded that bias from blood sampling and analytical performance influences the outcome of screening programs significantly. At least three blood specimens are needed for estimating the homeostatic set point of cholesterol in individuals.