Establishment of gender- and age-specific reference intervals for serum liver function tests among the elderly population in northeast China

Abstract

Reference intervals (RIs) for younger population may not apply to the elderly population. The aim of this study was to establish gender- and age-specific RIs for serum liver function tests among the elderly population and to compare with younger population RIs currently used in China and other countries. This was a retrospective study, and subjects (≥ 18 year-old) were recruited from the laboratory information system (LIS) at the First Hospital of Jilin University between April 2020 and April 2021. The following parameters were collected: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin (DBIL). The Tukey method was used to eliminate outliers. Reference intervals were established by the nonparametric method. A total of 23,597 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. From all parameters AST, ALT, TP and ALB required no gender partition, while ALT, GGT, TP, ALB and DBIL required different partitions for age. Activities and concentrations of ALT, ALB, and TP showed a downward trend in the elderly aged 60-89. In contrast, DBIL showed a gradual upward trend. The RIs for liver function tests among healthy elderly population were different from those among young population in China. There were apparent gender and age differences in the RIs of liver function for elderly and significant differences compared with national standards and RIs in other countries. Therefore, it is necessary to establish gender- and age-specific RIs for serum liver function tests among the elderly population.

Factors Influencing Plasma Concentrations of Valproic Acid in Pediatric Patients with Epilepsy and the Clinical Significance of CYP2C9 Genotypes in Personalized Valproic Acid Therapy

“…Hepatic function was assessed using a panel of biochemical markers, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, cholinesterase (CHE), total bilirubin (T-BIL), direct bilirubin (D-BIL), indirect bilirubin (I-BIL), total bile acid (TBA), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (G), albumin/globulin ratio (A/G), and prealbumin (PAB). 36,37 Renal function was assessed by measuring creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. 38,39 This study was approved by the ethics committee at Panzhihua Central Hospital (approval number: pzhszxyyll-2022-28).…”

Characteristics and Factors Associated with Inflammatory Activity on Liver Biopsy in Autoimmune Hepatitis Patients Aged 50 Years or Older

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The efficacy of sodium bicarbonated Ringer’s solution versus lactated Ringer's solution for goal-directed fluid therapy in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial

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