국내 29개 병원의 혈청단백 전기영동 및 면역고정 전기영동 검사현황 고찰

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the current status of serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) in Korea. Methods: Two structured questionnaires were developed using the Naver online platform and provided to clinical pathologists in charge of clinical chemistry. The first questionnaire consisted of 21 questions regarding the methods of testing, quantitation, and interpretation reports. A second questionnaire was administered on the name of the instrument and quality control. Results: A total of 29 hospital clinical laboratories responded to our first survey, and among them, 15 hospitals participated in the second survey. Twenty-six (89.7%) laboratories reported both quantitative values and interpretation reports, and 24 (82.8%) laboratories presented the ratio of each globulin fraction along with the quantitative values. However, the reporting unit and decimal place, fractionation of each globulin, commentation, terminology, and quantitation method for a monoclonal protein varied among the participating laboratories. Seventeen (58.6%) laboratories performed the inter-laboratory proficiency test, and there were differences in the methods of internal and external quality control among the laboratories. Conclusions: Variations in SPEP and IFE tests, including quantitation, interpretation reports, and quality control according to the laboratories, were observed. Although this study included a limited number of hospitals, it is the first to report the current status of SPEP and IFE in Korea. Harmonization of methods for reporting results and interpretation reports is needed to reduce the potential inconsistencies in the results.