[Updated reference intervals for clinical chemical components].
BACKGROUND
More or less outdated reference intervals are still in common use with many clinical biochemical components. In order to update them, a Nordic cooperative project (the Nordic reference interval project, NORIP) was organised.


METHODS
102 Nordic laboratories participated; 3036 persons aged 18 years or above were included. 25 components were measured in serum and/or plasma.


RESULTS
Common reference intervals for all Nordic countries were calculated for each of the 25 components, with age and sex-specific intervals when statistical criteria suggested this to be appropriate.


CONCLUSIONS
The national clinical biochemical societies of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark have all recommended that the suggested reference intervals should be brought into common use. In Norway, new reference intervals for seven enzymes were implemented in May 2003, the remaining are recommended implemented in spring 2004. Except for four of the enzymes, there will be no simultaneous change in the measuring methods used, hence medical decision limits are essentially not affected.
Urdal
Petter
P
Klinisk kjemisk avdeling, Ullevål universitetssykehus, 0407 Oslo. petter.urdal@ulleval.no
Bolann
Bjørn
B
Marstein
Sverre
S
Rustad
Pål
P
Steensland
Heidi
H
Asberg
Arne
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000592:standards*; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000592:standards*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries