The quality of the extra-analytical phase of laboratory practice in some developing European countries and Mexico - a multicentric study.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional multicentric survey study aimed to assess the quality of the extra-analytical phase of laboratory activities in some developing European countries and Mexico. We assessed the quality of the extra-analytical practices in participating laboratories regarding the: a) sample acceptance criteria; b) phlebotomy procedures; c) test results reporting and d) recording non-conformities. METHODS: A survey was performed during the April-May 2009. A total of 15 clinical laboratories from the following countries were included: Bosnia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Questions were scored (scores from 1-4) and average scores was calculated for each category. RESULTS: The overall score for all respondents (n = 443) was 3.10 ± 0.33. The average score was 3.11 ± 0.56 for sample acceptance criteria, 2.76 ± 0.58 for phlebotomy and 3.34 ± 0.53, for test results reporting (F = 116.49; p < 0.001). Laboratory accreditation was associated with better practices and higher overall quality of the extra-analytical procedures (F = 16.62; p < 0.001). Moreover, the highest scores for sample acceptance criteria (F = 8.32; p < 0.001), phlebotomy procedures (F = 13.28; p < 0.001) and for reporting non-conformities (F = 33.62; p < 0.001) were observed for accredited laboratories or laboratories under preparation for accreditation. CONCLUSIONS: The overall quality of the extra-analytical practices in countries in this survey is not satisfactory. Phlebotomy practices are the most critical extra-analytical activity. Since laboratory accreditation was associated with better practices and higher overall quality of the extra-analytical procedures, we believe that the most significant improvement could be made by implementing the total quality management system and standardizing laboratory procedures.

Cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure in a primary care unit: Yugoslav Study of the Precursors of Atherosclerosis in School Children (YUSAD).

OBJECTIVES: The presence of cardiovascular risk factors in children may be important in the development of atherosclerosis in adulthood. Adequate control of blood pressure is a cornerstone in atherosclerosis prevention. The aim of the Yugoslav Study of the Precursors of Atherosclerosis in School Children (YUSAD) was to identify risk factors for elevated blood pressure in school children. METHODS: The YUSAD study is a multicentre follow-up study comprised of two cross-sectional surveys conducted five years apart. At baseline, 10-year-old children (3226 boys and 3074 girls [n=6300]) were randomly selected during periodical visits to primary health care centres. The risk factors measured were heart rate, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, grade point average and current smoking status. RESULTS: Significant age and sex differences were identified in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and all investigated independent variables. In a multivariate analysis, diastolic blood pressure in 10-year-old boys was directly and significantly related to total cholesterol and height, whereas it was inversely related to weight. At follow-up, in the multivariate model, only BMI was a significant predictor of diastolic blood pressure in boys. In girls at baseline in the multivariate regression analysis, the only significant predictor of diastolic blood pressure was total cholesterol. In 15-year-old girls, diastolic blood pressure was significantly and directly related to BMI and heart rate, whereas it was inversely related to weight. For both 10- and 15-year-old male and female participants, none of the variables by multivariate analysis were a significant predictor of systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Age, sex, heart rate, cholesterol and weight are the most important predictors of blood pressure in school children.

Serial measurements of C-reactive protein after acute myocardial infarction in predicting one-year outcome.

Systemic markers of inflammation are considered reliable predictors of future coronary events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic relevance of serial C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements in patients with ST-elevation AMI (STEMI) on one-year outcome. In 31 patients with STEMI, serial measurements of CRP were obtained, and for each patient, the following values were determined: (i) values at admission, up to 12 hours after symptom onset, (ii) maximal values obtained 24-72 hours after symptom onset (early acute values), and (iii) late acute values (96-120 hours after symptom onset). The combined endpoint was any new cardiovascular event, including death. Early and late acute CRP levels were the only parameters found to be significantly higher in patients with an adverse outcome than in patients with a good outcome. A significantly higher rate of endpoint events was found in patients with elevated early (Hazard ratio [HR] 5.54, 95%CI 2.05-25.40; P = 0.007) and late acute CRP (HR 9.01, 95% CI 1.66-19.56; P = 0.005). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified only early acute CRP as an independent predictor of an unfavorable outcome (Odds ratio 8.00, 95%CI 1.15-55.60; P = 0.04), after adjustment for established risk factors. CRP level measured 24-72 hours after symptom onset is an independent predictor of one-year outcome in patients with STEMI. Values obtained later in the setting of STEMI do not add further prognostic information. CRP at admission is not related to long-term prognosis.