Stabilization of Plasma Glucose: The Use of Newer Technology and Pragmatic Laboratory Practice.

Background: The target values for plasma glucose concentrations for the investigation and diagnosis of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose, and the realization that small incremental changes in glucose concentration increase the risk of adverse events, has led to greater focus on laboratory glucose results. Although analytical methods show acceptable precision, the control of preanalytical error due to the stability of glucose remains problematic. The aim of this study was to compare glucose concentrations in 3 different and commercially available blood tubes, with analysis and storage under current practices and conditions.