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Performance of commercially-available cholesterol self-tests
Background Hypercholesterolemia (plasma cholesterol concentration ≥5.2 mmol/L) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Many different cholesterol self-tests are readily available at general stores, pharmacies and web shops. However, there is limited information on their analytical an...
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Published in: | Annals of clinical biochemistry 2021-07, Vol.58 (4), p.289-296 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Background
Hypercholesterolemia (plasma cholesterol concentration ≥5.2 mmol/L) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Many different cholesterol self-tests are readily available at general stores, pharmacies and web shops. However, there is limited information on their analytical and diagnostic performance.
Methods
We included 62 adult patients who required a lipid panel measurement (cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides and LDLcalc) for routine care. The performance of five different cholesterol self-tests, three quantitative meters (Roche Accutrend Plus, Mission 3-in-1 and Qucare) and two semi-quantitative strip tests (Veroval and Mylan MyTest), was assessed according to the manufacturers’ protocol.
Results
The average plasma cholesterol concentration was 5.2 ± 1.2 mmol/L. The mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of the five cholesterol self-tests ranged from 6 ± 5% (Accutrend Plus) to 20 ± 12% (Mylan Mytest). The Accutrend Plus cholesterol meter showed the best diagnostic performance with a 92% sensitivity and 89% specificity. The Qucare and Mission 3-in-1 are able to measure HDL concentrations and can thus provide a cholesterol:HDL ratio. The Passing-Bablok regression analyses for the ratio showed poor performance in both self-tests (Mission 3-in-1: y = 1.62x–1.20; Qucare: y = 0.61x + 1.75). The Accutrend Plus is unable to measure the plasma high-density lipoprotein concentration.
Conclusions/interpretation: The Accutrend Plus cholesterol meter (Roche) had excellent diagnostic and analytic performance. However, several of the commercially-available self-tests had considerably poor accuracy and diagnostic performance and therefore do not meet the required qualifications, potentially leading to erroneous results. Better regulation, standardization and harmonization of cholesterol self-tests is warranted. |
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ISSN: | 0004-5632 1758-1001 |
DOI: | 10.1177/0004563221992393 |