Performance of commercially-available cholesterol self-tests

Steef Kurstjens, Eugenie Gemen, Selina Walk, Tjin Njo, Johannes Krabbe, Karlijn Gijzen, Marc G.L.M. Elisen, Ron Kusters*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)289-296
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of Clinical Biochemistry
Volume58
Issue number4
Early online date17 Feb 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2021

Keywords

  • analytical performance
  • Cholesterol
  • diagnostics
  • lipids
  • screening
  • self-tests
  • n/a OA procedure

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