Indigenous lab test parameters needed for Indians, says ACBI

LUCKNOW: Many internationally accepted laboratory test parameters could be challenged by the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI) in the coming days. The ACBI said it had plans to develop indigenous lab test standards / protocols for Indians.

“We follow and prescribe drugs based on lab tests that work according to international protocols/ standards. These included tests such as glycosylated haemoglobin (three-month average reading of blood glucose), vitamin-D and liver enzyme tests to name a few,” said Prof AAM Mahdi, vice-chancellor Era University and organiser of the 44th national conference of ACBI, which is going on in Lucknow.

“This practice is incorrect,” said Prof Mahdi, adding, “We Indians live in conditions different from those in other countries. Our lifestyles too are different. Thus, we should have our own parameters for these tests.”

Prof Mahdi, who took over as the president of the ACBI on Monday -- the inaugural day of the conference -- made these observations while talking to reporters.

He said that clinical parameters should be fixed on the basis of the diet, environment and life of the people undergoing the tests.

“This was done in many countries, where a common and international protocol was developed. But, so far, this is not the case for Indians, who need to develop their own protocol now,” he said.

ACBI TO COMPILE TEST RESULTS

ACBI has decided to conduct tests in laboratories that are a part of its country-wide network.

A team will compile the test results and thereafter study them to figure out a common protocol for India. “We shall then see how much difference is there between the protocol that’s needed by Indians and that which is being followed currently,” said Prof Mahdi.

For the study, test results will be compiled from people of different regions, dietary habits, lifestyles, age groups and cultural backgrounds. Follow-up studies will also be conducted on the same people/ groups and across seasons to make sure that no condition is left out.

Once the study is complete and ACBI reviews and revises lab test standards, it could have a big impact on how medicines are prescribed in India.

The event was addressed by president ACBI, Dr Poornima A Manjrekar, professor and head of the department of biochemistry, Manipal Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka.

She said that it was a matter of great significance that new areas of practice were being explored.