Lipase and pancreatic amylase versus total amylase as biomarkers of pancreatitis: an analytical investigation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biomarkers of pancreatitis Colorimetric Lipase, Total Amylase and Pancreatic Amylase (immunoinhibition) assays on the Roche COBAS INTEGRA 700. RESULTS: Pancreatic and Total Amylase assays and Colorimetric Lipase showed excellent imprecision of 1.6 to 2.3% and linearity (slope = 0.94-0.99, y-intercepts-1 to +3 U/L, r = 0.999) over the range of 17 to 900, 35 to 880, and 21 to 150 U/L, respectively. There was an excellent correlation between Pancreatic and Total Amylase: Pancreatic Amylase = 0.99 (+/- 0.02) x Total Amylase-36(+/- 8) (n = 106, r = 0.97, p < 1 x 10(-5), y intercept p < 1 x 10(-5)). Colorimetric Lipase showed some correlation to Total and Pancreatic Amylase results: Colorimetric Lipase = 1.54 (+/- 0.16) x Total Amylase-81(+/- 37) (n = 100, r = 0.70, p < 1 x 10(-6), y intercept p = 0.03), and Colorimetric Lipase = 1.78 (+/- 0.15) x Pancreatic Amylase-50(+/- 29) (n = 99, r = 0.78, p < 1 x 10(-6), y intercept p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: We recommend running the more specific Pancreatic Amylase as biomarker of pancreatitis on the Roche COBAS INTEGRA.