Interlaboratory comparison of enzymatic methods for serum glucose determination

This report describes an interlaboratory comparison of enzymatic serum glucose methods as currently applied in several instrumental adaptations. Four spectrophotometric, hexokinase-based methods used with the Du Pont "aca," the Abbott "Bichromatic Analyzer," the Aminco "Rotochem," and the Technicon "AutoAnalyzer ll" were compared with glucose oxidase-based methods as used with the Beckman "Glucose Analyzer" and the "AutoAnalyzer ll." We analyzed both normal samples and samples that contained potential interfering substances or were otherwise abnormal. Although all methods were satisfactorily precise, methodological bias was noted in several cases, particularly with abnormal specimens. The hexokinase-based methods were generally more variable. The most consistent data were obtained from the two glucose oxidase methods and the Du Pont aca. Results of this study comprise part of the background information required for development of an accurate glucose reference method under the auspices of the AACC Standards Committee.