Abstract

To establish the reference ranges of tumour makers for adult Kenyan population. A prospective study carried out in clinical chemistry laboratory of Kenyatta National Hospital involving 613 healthy individuals between 18-61 years. Parametric methods were used to constructed reference ranges by estimating 2.5 and 97.5% of distribution as lower and upper reference limits. Results for 596 voluntarily study subjects comprising of 360 male and 236 females were used for the establishment of reference ranges of: CA125, CA15-3, CA 19-9 and CEA. Tumour makers reference ranges established were as follows: CA125 (0-23) U/L, CA15-3 (0-19) U/L, CA 19-9 (0-16) U/L and CEA (0-4) U/L. TPSA was the only male oriented tumour maker studied. Results for 360 adult males were used for the establishment of TPSA whose established reference range was age group specific. Age group specific TPSA reference ranges established were as follows: Age group 18-28 year (0.1-1.4) ng/mL, 29-39 years (0.1-2.6) ng/mL, 40-50 years (1.1-3.5) ng/mL and 51-61 years (1.1-6.3) ng/mL. Common and sex-specific reference ranges for adult Kenyan population has been established. These reference ranges are different from those reported in literature, therefore each clinical chemistry laboratory should establish its own.

Keywords:

Adult Kenyan, Kenyatta national hospital, reference range, tumour markers,

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