Comparability of HbA1c and lipids measured with dried blood spot versus venous samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Levels of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood lipids are important determinants of risk in patients with diabetes. Standard analysis methods based upon venous blood samples can be logistically challenging in resource-poor settings where much of the diabetes epidemic is occurring. Dried blood spots (DBS) provide a simple alternative method for sample collection but the comparability of data from analyses based on DBS is not well established.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to define the association of findings for HbA1c and blood lipids for analyses based upon standard methods compared to DBS. The Cochrane, Embase and Medline databases were searched for relevant reports and summary regression lines were estimated.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Affan ET 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4101836 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature