Comparison of a commercial method for total protein with a candidate reference method

The biuret method for total protein has been compared on the Boehringer Mannheim Diagnostics (BMD) Hitachi 717 Analyzer with a candidate reference method in efforts to standardize the BMD method. The methods were compared using 115 paired serum specimens collected during morning rounds at the Roger Williams Hospital. Results from the test method were compared to the reference method using a statistical procedure for quantifying bias between analytical methods. Linear regression statistics were also calculated. The Hitachi 717 biuret method shows no bias when compared to the reference method (z = -0.90), and there is acceptable correlation between the two methods (y = 0.86, m = 0.86, r = 0.896). The Hitachi method is linear to 15.0 g per dL and demonstrates excellent precision (CV less than or equal to 2.14 percent, N = 140). The Hitachi 717 biuret method has been found to be excellent in all respects and its use is recommended as a convenient and accurate means of measuring total protein.