Comparison of Clinical Assay Methods

Basis for Comparison of Methods

• Sample (Type and size)
• Analysis Time
• Sensitivity, Specificity
• Accuracy, Precision
• Ease of Use, Versatility
• Cost of Equipment
• Cost of Supplies

	HPLC	GLC	RIA	EMIT	FPIA
Separation Method	Chromatography	Chromatography	Immunoassay	Immunoassay	Immunoassay
Quantitation Method	Various including absorption, fluorescence, electrochemical, radioactivity, refractive index	Various including flame ionization, thermal conductivity, electron capture, mass spectrometry	Radioactivity	Kinetic via Absorption	Fluorescence
Sample Size (µl)	100 - 500	100 - 500	100	50	50
Sample Type*	P, S, U, Sa	P, S, U, Sa	P, S, U, Sa	P, S, U	P, S, U
Time (hr)	0.5	0.5	0.25	0.1 - 0.3	0.1 - 0.2
Sensitivity**	1	1	2	3	2
Specificity**	1	1	4	4	3
Accuracy**	2	2	2	2	2
Precision**	3	3	2	1	1
Training**	5	5	3	3	2
Equipment Cost**	4	4	5	3	4
Reagent Cost**	3	2	2	3	2
Clinical Application**	4	5	4	2	1
Research Application**	1	2	3	3	3

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Copyright 2001-3 David W. A. Bourne (david@boomer.org)