Consensus of DGKL and VDGH for interim reference intervals on enzymes in serum Konsensus von DGKL und VDGH zu vorläufigen Referenzbereichen für Serumenzyme

Abstract

Abstract In response to proposals of scientific associations the German Medical Association recommended the use of international standard procedures for the determination of enzymes and a change of the measurement temperature to 37°C in 1992. According to the recommendations, reference intervals for the new reference procedures should have been published by 1995. After a transition period, which had been extended several times, the clinical chemistry laboratories finally had to follow the recommendations and to use the new IFCC reference procedures as of April 1, 2003. However, reference intervals evaluated in a multicentre study have not been published until now. There is only one German study on preliminary upper reference limits of five enzymes in serum of hospitalized subjects using the new IFCC reference procedures. Since no multicentre study is intended in the near future, an expert working group of DGKL and VDGH recommended the use of preliminary reference intervals on enzymes in serum until final values have been determined. The interim values result from experiences of the past 3 years, from previous studies in different countries using comparable methodologies, or were derived from reference intervals obtained at 25°C and converted by method and temperature conversion factors.