Methods to reduce lipemic interference in clinical chemistry tests: a systematic review and recommendations

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#alanine-transaminase #centrifugation #chemistry-clinical #humans #hyperlipidemias

Methods to reduce lipemic interference in clinical chemistry tests: a systematic review and recommendations

Soh et al., 2022 | Clin Chem Lab Med | Systematic Review

Citation

Soh Sheila X, Loh Tze Ping, ... Ong Lizhen. Methods to reduce lipemic interference in clinical chemistry tests: a systematic review and recommendations. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2022-Jan-27;60(2):152-161. doi:10.1515/cclm-2021-0979

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Lipemia is the presence of abnormally high lipoprotein concentrations in serum or plasma samples that can interfere with laboratory testing. There is little guidance available from manufacturers or professional bodies on processing lipemic samples to produce clinically acceptable results. This systematic review summarizes existing literature on the effectiveness of lipid removal techniques in reducing interference in clinical chemistry tests. METHODS: A PubMed search using terms relating to lipid removal from human samples for clinical chemistry tests produced 1,558 studies published between January 2010 and July 2021. 15 articles met the criteria for further analyses. RESULTS: A total of 66 analytes were investigated amongst the 15 studies, which showed highly heterogenous study designs. High-speed centrifugation was consistently effective for 13 analytes: albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (Jaffe method), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose (hexokinase-based method), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), phosphate, potassium, and urea. Lipid-clearing agents were uniformly effective for seven analytes: ALT, AST, total bilirubin, CK, creatinine (Jaffe method), lipase, and urea. Mixed results were reported for the remaining analytes. CONCLUSIONS: For some analytes, high-speed centrifugation and/or lipid-clearing agents can be used in place of ultracentrifugation. Harmonized protocols and acceptability criteria are required to allow pooled data analysis and interpretation of different lipemic interference studies.

Key Findings

A total of 66 analytes were investigated amongst the 15 studies, which showed highly heterogenous study designs. High-speed centrifugation was consistently effective for 13 analytes: albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (Jaffe method), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose (hexokinase-based method), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), phosphate, potassium, and urea. Lipid-clearing age

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 1558
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Centrifugation
  • Chemistry, Clinical
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias
  • Ultracentrifugation

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09