Responses to the questionnaire examining the status of SPEP and IFE/IT tests conducted by participating institutions for the external quality assessment program
Questions | Answer no. (%) |
---|---|
1. How many SPEP and IFE/IT tests are performed per month in your laboratory? | |
Once a week | 4 (13.8) |
Twice a week | 11 (37.9) |
Three or 4 times a week | 2 (6.9) |
Every weekday | 12 (41.4) |
2. Does your laboratory routinely conduct SPEP and IFE/IT tests for externally referred samples from other institutions? | |
Yes | 8 (27.6) |
No | 17 (58.6) |
Yes, but only for samples from our own affiliated or partner hospitals | 4 (13.8) |
3. How many SPEP and IFE/IT tests are performed per month in your laboratory? | |
Equal or less than 100 tests | |
SPEP | 7 (24.1) |
IFE/IT |
12 (41.4) |
101–200 tests | |
SPEP | 5 (17.2) |
IFE/IT |
5 (17.2) |
201–300 tests | |
SPEP | 3 (10.3) |
IFE/IT |
1 (3.4) |
201–500 tests | |
SPEP | 2 (6.9) |
IFE/IT |
1 (3.4) |
More than 500 tests | |
SPEP | 12 (41.4) |
IFE/IT |
9 (31.0) |
4. Which method is used by your laboratory for SPEP and IFE/IT tests? | |
Capillary zone electrophoresis | |
SPEP | 21 (72.4) |
IFE/IT |
11 (37.9) |
Agarose gel electrophoresis | |
SPEP | 7 (24.1) |
IFE/IT |
11 (37.9) |
Re-test by AGE if necessary after CZE | |
SPEP | 1 (3.4) |
IFE/IT |
6 (20.7) |
5. In which of the following methods do you quantify a monoclonal protein? |
|
Standard perpendicular drop method | 16 (55.2) |
Corrected perpendicular drop method | 6 (20.7) |
Tangent skimming method | 7 (24.1) |
6. When a monoclonal paraprotein is detected, in which of the following terms do you report? | |
M-peak | 8 (27.6) |
Monoclonal peak | 4 (13.8) |
M-protein | 5 (17.2) |
Monoclonal protein | 3 (10.3) |
M-spike | 6 (20.7) |
Others |
3 (10.3) |
7. What is the limit of quantitation of a monoclonal paraprotein in your laboratory? | |
0.01 g/dL | 7 (24.1) |
0.02 g/dL | 3 (10.3) |
0.1 g/dL | 10 (34.5) |
0.2 g/dL | 2 (6.9) |
Others |
7 (24.1) |
8. What are the decimal places (1st or 2nd) of the quantities (g/dL) and ratios (%) for each fraction in your laboratory? | |
1st decimal place | |
Quantity (g/dL) | 16 (55.2) |
Ratio (%) | 27 (93.1) |
2nd decimal place | |
Quantity (g/dL) | 13 (44.8) |
Ratio (%) | 2 (6.9) |
9. What is the name of the instrument your laboratory uses for the SPEP and IFE/IT tests? | |
Sebia (n=25, 86.2%) | |
Capillarys 2 | 3 (10.3) |
Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing | 7 (24.1) |
Capillarys 3 | 3 (10.3) |
Capillarys 3 Octa | 5 (17.2) |
Capillarys 3 Tera | 4 (13.8) |
Hydrasis 2 | 3 (10.3) |
Helena laboratory (n=4, 13.8%) | |
Spife 3000 | 3 (10.3) |
Titan Gel | 1 (3.4) |
Abbreviations: SPEP, serum protein electrophoresis; IFE, immunofixation electrophoresis; IT, immunotyping; AGE, agarose gel electrophoresis; CZE, capillary zone electrophoresis.
*One laboratory performs only SPEP but not IFE/IT for routine testing. †Monoclonal immunoglobulin, or paraprotein. ‡0.017 g/dL, 0.025 g/dL, 0.05 g/dL, or no limitations were set.