PMID: 18709996Aug 20, 2008Paper

Setting reference intervals without considering sex and age differences

Rinsho byori. The Japanese journal of clinical pathology
Takashi KannoTakeo Shibata

Abstract

We compared two sets of sex and age-specific reference intervals obtained from two large reference populations, one set calculated with data from 700,000 reference individuals by the nonlinear optimizing method of Ohgushi and Shibata and the other set calculated with data from 150,000 reference individuals from Shizuoka prefecture by the revised Hoffmann fitting method. Ten laboratory analytes used for health screening were compared. The sex- and age-specific reference intervals for total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, uric acid, total protein, and albumin from the two large reference sample groups closely resembled each other, but reference intervals for the enzyme analytes aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase only partly corresponded. Surprisingly, new information came from comparison of the sex- and age-specific reference intervals of alkaline phosphatase: low activities were observed in young females and higher activities were observed in older females. If a reference interval is used that does not take this observation into account, misdiagnosis of hyperthyroidism, which is frequently observed in young women, may result. Sex- and age-specific refe...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.