International Journal of General Medicine (Aug 2022)
Establishment of Reference Intervals for Serum Protein Electrophoresis of Apparently Healthy Adults in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abstract
Demiraw Bikila,1 Tadesse Lejisa,1 Yosef Tolcha,1 Chala Bashea,1 Mehari Meles,1 Tigist Getahun,1 Genet Ashebir,1 Wossene Habtu,1 Feyissa Challa,1 Ousman Mohammed,2 Melkitu Kassaw,3 Adisu Kebede,4 Letebrhan G/Egzeabher,5 Endalkachew Befekadu,6 Mistire Wolde,7 Aster Tsegaye7 1Department of National Clinical Chemistry Reference Laboratory, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia; 3Food Science and Nutrition Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 4National Capacity Building Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 5Department of Medical Laboratory, Yekatit 12 General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 6Department of Medical Laboratory, Saint Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 7Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Demiraw Bikila, Department of National Clinical Chemistry Reference Laboratory, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Email [email protected]: Even though several factors affect reference intervals (RIs), company-derived values are currently in use in many laboratories worldwide. However, few or no data are available regarding serum proteins RIs, especially in resource-limited countries such as Ethiopia.Objective: To establish RIs for serum protein electrophoresis of apparently healthy adults in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 297 apparently healthy adults from April to October 2019 in four selected sub-cities (Akaki, Kirkos, Arada, and Yeka) of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Laboratory analysis of collected samples was performed using the Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing analyzer, while statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 and Med-Calc software. The Mann–Whitney test was used to check partitions. A non-parametric method of reference range establishment was performed as per CLSI guideline EP28A3C.Results: The established RIs were: albumin 53.83– 64.59%, 52.24– 63.55%; alpha-1 globulin 3.04– 5.40%, 3.44– 5.60%; alpha-2 globulin 8.0– 12.67%, 8.44– 12.87%; and beta-1 globulin 5.01– 7.38%, 5.14– 7.86%. Moreover, the albumin to globulin ratios were 1.16– 1.8 and 1.09– 1.74 for males and females, respectively. The combined RIs for beta-2 globulin and gamma globulin were 2.54– 4.90% and 12.40– 21.66%, respectively.Conclusion: The established reference interval for serum protein fractions revealed gender-specific differences, except for beta-2 globulin and gamma globulin.Keywords: serum protein electrophoresis, reference interval, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia