Chemiluminescence systems; do all lead to same results in prolactin analysis?

BACKGROUND: Human prolactin (PRL) is a hormone that is mainly secreted by lactotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland and is involved in many biological processes including lactation and reproduction. Prolactin level may be determined quantitatively in serum by many different systems including chemiluminescence systems. However, comparison of the measured values between systems is difficult. METHODS: The prolactin values obtained and compared in two chemiluminescence systems; AUTOBIO DIAGNOSTICS MICROPLATE LUMOMETER and LIAISON XL Analyzer using BioRad tri level serum quality control materials and serum samples from n = 44 female patients; (Age mean & range) = (33: 21–65) years. RESULTS: Obtained PRL mean and range in Autobio and Liason systems were X = 414.8 ± 230.0; Range: 25.7–980.9 μlU/mL & X = 391.7 ± 225.6; Range: 26.0–991.4 μlU/mL respectively. Both system’s results were correlated (Pearson product moment correlation r = 0.97 at p = 0.01 and Regression Analysis). CONCLUSION: Because of the differences between CLIA systems the authors conclude laboratories measuring range for PRL be accomplished on particular analyzer and verified against reference intervals stated by the manufacture. More importantly, consecutive PRL level determinations and patients follow up should be performed on only one analyzer rather than different analyzers. In this regard, mentioning the method and system type on the final laboratory reports become important and verify that a laboratory considers the clinical aspects of laboratory request as well as the quality assurance in performing the PRL determination.