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Meta-Analysis
. 2018 May 3;13(5):e0196576.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196576. eCollection 2018.

Performance and comparability of laboratory methods for measuring ferritin concentrations in human serum or plasma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Maria N Garcia-Casal  1 , Juan P Peña-Rosas  1 , Eloisa Urrechaga  2 , Jesus F Escanero  3 , Junsheng Huo  4 , Ricardo X Martinez  1 , Lucero Lopez-Perez  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Performance and comparability of laboratory methods for measuring ferritin concentrations in human serum or plasma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Maria N Garcia-Casal et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Different laboratory methods are used to quantify ferritin concentrations as a marker of iron status. A systematic review was undertaken to assess the accuracy and comparability of the most used methods for ferritin detection.

Methods and findings: National and regional databases were searched for prospective, retrospective, sectional, longitudinal and case-control studies containing the characteristics and performance of at least one method for serum/plasma ferritin determinations in humans published to date. The analysis included the comparison between at least 2 methods detailing: sensitivity, precision, accuracy, predictive values, inter-methods adjustment, and use of international reference materials. Pooled method performance was analyzed for each method and across methods.

Outcomes: Search strategy identified 11893 records. After de-duplication and screening 252 studies were assessed, including 187 studies in the qualitative analysis and 148 in the meta-analysis. The most used methods included radiometric, nonradiometric and agglutination assays. The overall within-run imprecision for the most reported ferritin methods was 6.2±3.4% (CI 5.69-6.70%; n = 171), between-run imprecision 8.9±8.7% (CI 7.44-10.35%; n = 136), and recovery rate 95.6% (CI 91.5-99.7%; n = 94). The pooled regression coefficient was 0.985 among all methods analyzed, and 0.984 when comparing nonradiometric and radiometric methods, without statistical differences in ferritin concentration ranging from 2.3 to 1454 μμg/L.

Conclusion: The laboratory methods most used to determine ferritin concentrations have comparable accuracy and performance. Registered in PROSPERO CRD42016036222.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: Maria N Garcia-Casal - is employed as Scientist at the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development at the World Health Organization (WHO). Juan Pablo Peña-Rosas - is employed as Coordinator of the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development at WHO. Eloisa Urrechaga - WHO provided support for travel to meetings and fees for participation in this review. Jesus F Escanero - WHO provided support for travel to meetings and fees for participation in this review. Junsheng Huo - WHO provided support for travel to meetings. Ricardo X Martinez - is a WHO consultant and received consultancy fees, support for travel to meetings and fees for participation in this review. Lucero Lopez-Perez - is a WHO consultant and received consultancy fees, support for travel to meetings and fees for participation in this review. Disclaimer: Maria Nieves Garcia-Casal and Juan Pablo Peña-Rosas are full-time staff members at the WHO. The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the decisions, policy or views of the WHO. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. PRISMA flow-chart of study selection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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