ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the normal ranges of RET-He and reticulocyte grouping parameters of healthy adults in Wenzhou. Methods A total of 1 000 samples from healthy adults were collected in Wenzhou from August 2008 to February 2010. There were 506 males and 494 females. The individuals were stratified based on age into three groups:20 to 40-year-old group (n = 341 ), ＞40 to 60-year-old group (n =316), and ＞60-year-old group (n =343). All blood samples were drawn in EDTA-K2 anticoagulated blood. Peripheral RET-He and reticulocyte grouping parameters ( IRF, LFR, MFR, HFR)were determined by Sysmex XE-2100 automated hematology analyzer. The instrument was calibrated and validated before testing All specimens were analyzed within 2 hours. RET-He, RET absolute value and RET percentage were normal distribution, the normal range was established by using ((x)-1.96s,(x)+ 1.96 s)method. IRF, LFR, MFR and HFR data were skewed distribution,the normal range was established by using (P2.5 ,P97.5 )percentile method. Results The mean and normal range of RET-He were (33.91 ± 1.77) pg and (30.44 - 37.38) pg in male, (33.97 ± 1.85) pg and (30.34 - 37.60) pg in female,respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( t =-0.533, P＞0.05 ). The mean and normal range of RET absolute value were (0.051±0.023) × 1012/L and (0.006 -0.096)×1012/L in male,which were (0. 037 ±0. 026) × 1012/L and (0 -0. 088) × 1012/L in female, there was significant difference between the two groups ( t = 8. 409, P ＜ 0. 05 ) . The mean and normal range of RET percentage in male were(1.041 ±0.459)% and (0. 141 -1.941)% , and in female were (0.869±0.603)% and (0-2. 051 )%, which showed significant difference (t =5.074,P ＜0. 05). The normal ranges of LFR,MFR,HFR,IRF in male were 0. 951 (0.866 -0.988) ,0.046(0.010 -0.114) ,0. 003(0 -0.023) ,0. 050(0.012-0.134), and in female were 0.096(0.880 -0.991) ,0.039(0.008 -0.113) ,0.002(0-0.016) ,0.040(0.009-0.121), respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (Z values were -5.044, -4.793, -3.559, -5.075, respectively,all P＜0.05). The means of RET-He in 20 to 40-year-old group, ＞40 to 60-year-old group, ＞ 60-year-old group and all age group were (33.38±1.49),(34.36 ±1.46), (34.12±2.21) and (33.94 +1.81) pg, respectively. The normal ranges were(30.46-36.30), (31.50 -37.22), (29.79 - 38.45) and (30.39 - 37.49) pg, which showed statistical difference( F =28. 072,P ＜0. 05). In addition, the normal range of RET-He in 20 to 40-year-old group was lower than that of ＞ 40 to 60-year-old group and ＞ 60-year-old group ( q values were 9. 970, 7. 791,respectively, P＜0. 05). The normal ranges of LFR, MFR, HFR, IRF in ＞ 60-year-old group were 0.961(0. 878 -0. 992) ,0. 037(0. 007 -0. 105 ) ,0. 002(0 -0. 020) and 0. 039(0. 008 -0. 117) ,while they were 0.953(0. 867 -0.990), 0.045(0.009 -0. 116) ,0.003(0 -0.019) ,0. 050(0. 010 -0. 133) in 20 to 40 -year-old group , and 0. 951 (0.855 -0.989) ,0.047 (0.010 - 0.133 ) ,0.003 ( 0-0.020), 0.049 (0.011-0.149)in ＞40 to 60-year-old group, which showed statistical difference (Z values were -3. 949, -4.236,-4. 373, -4. 973, - 2. 747, - 3. 275, - 3.901, - 4. 185, respectively, all P ＜ 0. 05). There was nodifference between male and female for RET-He, the same normal ranges could be used, but there was significant difference between different age groups. LFR, MFR, HFR and IRF were statistically different between different age groups and different sex groups. The normal ranges should be established by gender and age. Conclusion The normal ranges of RET-He and reticulocyte grouping parameters about healthy adults in Wenzhou are established, which plays an important role in clinical value of RET parameters.