title: Reference Intervals of Alpha-Fetoprotein and Carcinoembryonic Antigen in the Apparently Healthy Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to calculate 95% reference intervals and double-sided limits of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) according to the CLSI EP28-A3 guideline. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum AFP and CEA values were measured in samples from 26 000 healthy subjects in the Shuyang area receiving general health checkups. The 95% reference intervals and upper limits were calculated by using MedCalc. RESULTS We provided continuous reference intervals from 20 years old to 90 years old for AFP and CEA. The reference intervals were: AFP, 1.31-7.89 ng/ml (males) and 1.01-7.10 ng/ml (females); CEA, 0.51-4.86 ng/ml (males) and 0.35-3.45ng/ml (females). AFP and CEA were significantly positively correlated with age in both males (r=0.196 and r=0.198) and females (r=0.121 and r=0.197). CONCLUSIONS Different races or populations and different detection systems may result in different reference intervals for AFP and CEA. Continuous reference intervals of age changes are more accurate than age groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Shuyang People's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Shuyang, Jiangsu, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Gao-Ming
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xu-Xiao
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Shuyang People's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Shuyang, Jiangsu, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xiao-Bo
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Shuyang People's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Shuyang, Jiangsu, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Guo-Ming
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins