QUO TEST STUDY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study to see the Impact of Various Anti-Coagulants on Quo-Test HbA1c Results
IRAS ID
147247
Contact name
DAVID STUART-THOMPSON
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
WEST SUFFOLK HOSPTITAL FOUNDATION NHS TRUST
Research summary
Clinicians measure glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)in Diabetics to get an overall picture of what their blood sugar levels have been like over a period of time. This is very important for people with diabetes as the higher the HbA1c, the greater the risk of developing diabetes-related complications.
For ease of purpose, patients attending the diabetic clinic have a capillary blood test from a fingerprick where the HbA1c is analysed on a small analyser on site.
While it is recommended to run the test from the finger sample it is also possible to run the test from blood taken from the arm ( venepuncture) and placed into a specific tube type.
There are many different types of tube type and they vary according to the substances in the tube that prevents the blood from clotting ( anti-coagulants)This study aims to compare four anti-coagulants, namely: EDTA(K2), Heparin, Sodium Citrate and Sodium Fluoride using 40 samples, covering the testing range of 20 to 140 mmol/mol A1c (4 – 15%A1c).
Patients attending Diabetic clinics have a fingerprick performed for a HbA1c test prior to consultation. If the consultant considers that the patient needs further blood tests then they return to the phlebotomist to have a venepuncture. It is these patients who will be asked whether they would be happy to have additional blood taken so that their HbA1c can be tested from the different tubes and compared to the fingerprick sample.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
14/WA/1039
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion