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Vitamin D status from dried capillary blood samples.
Berthold Hocher1, Hans Jürgen Grön, Claudia Schumann
1Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany. hocher@uni-potsdam.de
Clinical Laboratory
|September 25, 2012
Summary
A new method using dried blood samples accurately measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vitamin D) levels. This technique simplifies vitamin D status analysis, especially in remote locations.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is linked to numerous health issues, including bone disease, infections, and cancer.
- Accurate and accessible methods for assessing vitamin D status are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a simple method for determining 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vitamin D) levels using dried blood samples.
- To assess the feasibility of using capillary blood collected on filter paper for vitamin D analysis.
Main Methods:
- A novel technique was developed to measure 25-OH vitamin D from dried blood samples on filter paper.
- Capillary blood was collected from 96 healthy donors onto the D-Vital ID dry-blood collection system.
- Results from dried capillary blood samples were compared with conventional venous blood measurements from the same individuals.
Main Results:
- Measurements of 25-OH vitamin D from dried capillary blood showed a strong positive correlation with venous blood measurements (R: 0.7936; p < 0.0001).
- The correlation was linear across the observed range of vitamin D concentrations.
- Bland-Altman analysis indicated good agreement between the two measurement methods.
Conclusions:
- The D-Vital ID dry-blood collection system provides an excellent alternative to traditional venous blood testing for 25-OH vitamin D.
- This method offers a practical and reliable approach for vitamin D status assessment, particularly beneficial for field studies, developing countries, and remote areas.
