Time collection and storage conditions of lipid profile.

The stability of samples is crucial for getting reliable concentrations of many analytes, including lipid profile. Thus, the goal of this study was to analyze lipid profile under different storage and temperature conditions. This was a prospective study with 809 patients of both genders. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein were measured within 1 h from collection at room temperature, after 2-3 h of refrigeration (8°C) and after 4-5 h at room temperature. The processing time and storage conditions did not affect the analytes measured. These findings are important for multicenter studies, because of the difficulties related to centrifugation and freezing of samples immediately after collection.