Harmonization initiatives in the generation, reporting and application of biological variation data

Abstract: Biological variation (BV) data have many applications in laboratory medicine. However, concern has been raised that some BV estimates in use today may be irrelevant or of unacceptable quality. A number of initiatives have been launched by the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) and other parties to deliver a more harmonized practice in the generation, reporting and application of BV data. Resulting from a necessary focus upon the veracity of historical BV studies, critical appraisal and meta-analysis of published BV studies is possible through application of the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC), published in 2017. The BIVAC compliant large-scale European Biological Variation Study delivers updated high-quality BV data for a wide range of measurands. Other significant developments include the publication of a Medical Subject Heading term for BV and recommendations for common terminology for reporting of BV data. In the near future, global BV estimates derived from meta-analysis of BIVAC appraised publications will be accessible in a Biological Variation Database at the EFLM website. The availability of these high-quality data, which have many applications that impact on the quality and interpretation of clinical laboratory results, will afford improved patient care.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Harmonization initiatives in the generation, reporting and application of biological variation data ; volume:56 ; number:10 ; year:2018 ; pages:1629-1636 ; extent:8 ; Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine ; 56, Heft 10 (2018), 1629-1636 (gesamt 8)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Aarsand, Aasne K. ; Røraas, Thomas ; Bartlett, William A. ; Coşkun, Abdurrahman ; Carobene, Anna ; Fernandez-Calle, Pilar ; Jonker, Niels ; Díaz-Garzón, Jorge ; Braga, Federica ; Sandberg, Sverre

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2018-0058
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022052709125902508621
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:37 AM CEST