Aim Measurements of exposure biomarkers are important for the assessment of health risks, the development of clinical and public health decision points, and for monitoring exposures over time. The lack in comparability of biomarker measurements performed in different studies can limit their use in research and public health activities. Results Measurement harmonization programs create measurement results that are comparable across methods, locations, and over time. Harmonization programs were successfully implemented for clinical analytes such as cholesterol. These programs focus on the accuracy and the analytical reliability of the measurement result and do not require laboratories to use the same analytical method. This is accomplished by providing laboratories with panels of specimens with reference values for the relevant analyte. These panels are used by laboratories to assess and, if needed, to correct measurement accuracy and other sources that cause inaccurate and unreliable results. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) harmonization programs identified inconsistent calibration as one major source for analytical inaccuracy. Lack of analytical specificity can be another major source of inaccuracy, especially for steroid hormone measurements. By continuously providing panels of specimens to laboratories, and by evaluating analytical performance using consistent protocols and criteria, harmonization can be achieved. CDC’s harmonization programs focus on analytical performance using panels of specimens. These programs can easily be adopted to improve the comparability of a wide range of biomarker measurements. Conclusions Harmonization programs determine, improve and maintain the quality of biomarker measurements and enable the effective use of study data in public health decision making and exposure monitoring.

Ensuring harmonized and comparable laboratory measurements to improve public health

254th National Meeting (2017)

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