[Characterization and problems regarding clinical reference ranges of aged subjects on clinical chemistry].
Various characteristic clinical laboratory testing data related to clinical chemistry were collected from 11 institutes across the nation, and age-related clinical reference values, reference intervals and within-subject biological variations were calculated. Using these calculated results, characterization of aged-related reference ranges and the method of determining an aged subject's testing values were investigated. From these results, the following facts became clear. Estimation of health-associated reference intervals for aged subjects was very difficult. As the aged subject's reference values differ remarkably by sex and age on several test items, sex- and age-related clinical reference values are necessary. In case of the mass screening survey which utilizes preceding healthy values, we should decide by within-subject biological variation. We usually use reference ranges to decide whether the measured values are located within these ranges, and must use a differential value to speculate regarding a particular disease. These results indicate that multiple standard must be prepared for each clinical laboratory testing value, and that it is ideal to be able to select a suitable standard for the subjects state. To select a suitable standard clinically, we need an expert system. For this purpose, much more basic data concerning reference ranges, differential values and so on must be accumulated.
Clinical Laboratory, University of Tokushima, School of Dentistry.
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Nishida
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values