Analytical comparison of ELISA and mass spectrometry for quantification of serum hepcidin in critically ill patients.

To compare methods of quantifying serum hepcidin (based on MS and ELISA) and their ability to diagnose true iron deficiency anemia in critically ill patients. Serum hepcidin was measured in 119 critically ill patients included in the HEPCIDANE clinical trial, using either an ultra-sensitive ELISA kit (from DRG) or two different MS methods. The results show a good correlation between the different methods studied. The Bland-Altman analysis and the Kappa test for clinical groups show a good or very good agreement between the different tests. ELISA or MS show a satisfactory commutability to quantify serum hepcidin. This is of great importance for the determination of therapeutic strategies in iron deficiency.