Studies on Red Cell Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase: Evaluation of Reference Values

Abstract

The analytical, intra-individual, inter-individual variation and reference values were determined for red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Different procedures for the conditions for storage of red blood cells and the preparation of haemolysates were investigated. A total of 2170 samples of blood were taken from apparently healthy persons—1212 males and 958 females—from randomly selected villages and city centres in the southern part of Turkey. Analytical variation, intra-individual variation and inter-individual variation were 8·67%, 32·8% and 31·8%, respectively. The mean (SD) for G6PD was 8·6 (3·3) IU/gHb. The index of individuality, 1·03, showed that the reference intervals could be used for diagnostic purposes. Whole blood or a red cell pellet could be stored in physiological saline for one week at 4°C or −20° with little loss of activity. Two of three different procedures for the preparation of haemolysate gave data that showed no statistical difference and were equally satisfactory.