Establishment of the reference interval for serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide in healthy adults of Chinese Han ethnicity

Abstract

We established the reference interval for serum proGRP, which was determined by ECLIA in the healthy Chinese Han population. Furthermore, our study suggests that it is necessary to establish the age-specific reference intervals for serum proGRP.

Distribution of serum amyloid A and establishment of reference intervals in healthy adults

“…The reasons for these differences may be as follows: (a) different detection methods; SAA was mainly detected by immunoturbidimetry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or microsphere capture enzyme immunoassay [23][24][25] ; (b) there were some differences in population characteristics and regional characteristics, such as race, environment, and living habits. 26,27 All of the above parameters may have resulted in different results. The results of this study suggested that every laboratory should establish a SAA population reference interval that accounts for the regional population, factors in the regional environment, and detection system characteristics.…”

“…On the contrary, Ichihara et al conducted a survey of SAA reference interval showed that the upper limit of SAA reference interval was higher than that of this study for either Asian or Chinese populations. The reasons for these differences may be as follows: (a) different detection methods; SAA was mainly detected by immunoturbidimetry, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, or microsphere capture enzyme immunoassay ; (b) there were some differences in population characteristics and regional characteristics, such as race, environment, and living habits . All of the above parameters may have resulted in different results.…”

The challenge of the reference intervals determination: An example from two articles published in the present issue

“…Both studies show a positive association between pro-GRP concentration and age; differences were statistically significant between groups of 10-year intervals in subjects younger than 70 years in the study by Zhao et al 2 The two studies followed methods that seem to be accurate, and are homogeneous regarding both the analytical platform used and the population studied. Nevertheless, there are some differences in the setting that can justify the discrepancies found; although, considering the respective confidence intervals of the RI and the intrinsic analytical variability of the method, these differences are probably not as relevant.…”

“…This issue presents two different research articles on the establishment of reference intervals (RI) for serum progastrin releasing peptide (proGRP) measured with the same methodology on the Chinese population. 1,2 Yang et al 1 established the RI as the 95th percentile of the healthy population, finding a value <53.9 ng/L in adults aged 21-70 years and <75.7 ng/L for subjects aged >70 years, respectively, with no differences related to gender. Zhao et al 2 found values approximately 20% higher, also in this case without differences between the sexes.…”

“…Zhao et al 2 evaluated a remarkably high number of subjects, considering that they are individually and clinically selected and not merely extracted from the laboratory database as in the methodologies of indirect RI determination. 3 Yang et al 1 examined a more limited number of cases, but used more stringent criteria, according to the classical "direct" approach, 4 making the selection also on the basis of laboratory evaluations and diagnostic imaging.…”