Clinical Chemistry Reference Intervals in a Rwandan Population
Jean Bosco Gahutu *
Department of Medical Biology, National University of Rwanda, Huye District, Southern Province, Rwanda, P.O. Box 217 Huye, Rwanda.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To establish clinical chemistry reference intervals for the Rwandan population.
Study Design: A population-based cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in three blood transfusion centres: Buhanda, Ruhango and Nyaruteja, between August and December 2011.
Methods: Serum clinical chemistry tests were performed on a Cobas C311 automated chemistry analyzer.
Results: Results of 187 subjects (age range: 17-54 years) presented as median, with 2.5th-97.5th percentiles (95% reference interval) in brackets are as follows: For males: alanine aminotransferase: 25 (12-43) U/L; aspartate aminotransferase: 29 (16-47) U/L; gamma-glutamyl transferase: 22 (9-77) U/L; total bilirubin: 0.6 (0.2-1.7) mg/dL; direct bilirubin: 0.2 (0.1-0.4) mg/dL; creatinine: 0.8 (0.5-1.1) mg/dL; uric acid: 5 (3-7) mg/dL. For males and females: alkaline phosphatase: 71 (27-122) U/L; amylase: 144 (50-235) U/L; lactate dehydrogenase: 176 (114-237) U/L; triglycerides: 82 (32-172) mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein: 48 (29-86) mg/dL; glucose: 87 (70-114) mg/dL; total protein: 7.6 (6.5-8.5) g/dL; albumin: 4.4 (3.4-5.4) g/dL; sodium: 142 (137-147) mmol/L; potassium: 4.1 (3.3-5.0) mmol/L; chloride: 106 (100-112) mmol/L; phosphate: 1.16 (0.87-1.49) mmol/L.
Conclusion: The clinical chemistry reference values are in agreement with those reported in other African studies, with variations.
Keywords: Reference intervals, clinical chemistry, moderate altitude, Rwanda