ESTABLISHING REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR LIPID PROFILE IN HEALTHY ADULT POPULATION OF AMBALAPPUZHA NORTH GRAMA PANCHAYATH, ALAPPUZHA, KERALA.

Abstract

Introduction: We established reference intervals for serum lipids in an apparently healthy adult population of Ambalappuzha North Grama panchayath in Alappuzha district of Kerala. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 447 apparently healthy individuals of both sexes aged between 18-75 years who attended a health camp organized by the Department of Biochemistry, Government T.D. MedicalCollege in association with the Ambalappuzha North Grama Panchayath.Samples were analyzed in a Beckman Clinical chemistry analyzer. Mean, standard deviation, median,90% condence limits for th th th median and central 95 percentile were calculated. The 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles formed the lower and upper reference limits of population. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS ver.16 software. Results:Reference interval for Total cholesterol was 132.2-262 mg/dl, for HDL-cholesterol 28.2-62 mg/dl ,for LDL-cholesterol 66.2-175 mg/dl, for triglyceride 65-218.8 mg/dl, for VLDL 13-43.8 mg/dl and Total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio 2.67 – 6.4.Reference intervals for Total cholesterol,LDL-cholesterol and Triglyceride were higher than the desirable limits suggested by NCEP ATP III guidelines and the reference intervals established by many studies. There was a gradual increase in these parameters with age up to 60 years. The reference intervals for HDLcholesterol were lower in both males and females. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were higher in females compared to males. Conclusion:There exists difference in reference intervals for various populations and hence there is a need for more population studies so that reference ranges for lipid parameters can be established which will help in better health care.